Obituaries - Surname G
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
GABENT, HESTER/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, April 24, 1909
Commits Suicide by Drinking
Carbolic Acid
Mrs. Hester Gabent, wife of Frank Gabent, aged
27, died Saturday morning from carbolic acid poisoning, self
inflicted. She lived on Fifth street opposite the First Baptist
church. Mrs. Gabent is the third of her family connection to
commit suicide by the carbolic acid route. She had frequently
threatened to kill herself since the suicide of her
sister-in-law, Mrs. George Kestner, several months ago. The
funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the
First Baptist church, Rev. M. W. Twing officiating.
GABRIEL, ERNEST F./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 6,
1922
Ernest F. Gabriel died at his home, 2700 Bostwick
street, Sunday morning, March 5th, at 6:45 o'clock, at the age
of 73 years. Gabriel was born in Lippe, Detmoit, Germany, on
April 30th, 1849. He came to America with his parents at the age
of five years, and shortly afterwards located in this vicinity.
He was married to Miss Cat???? Fraley on January 5, 1871. He is
survived by his wife, six children, William, Charles, Arthur
Walter, ????, and Nellie Gabriel, and three grandchildren. He
also leaves two brothers, Henry Gabriel of Woodburn and Fred of
St. Louis, and four sisters, Mrs. Henry Suess of Topeka, Kansas;
Mrs. Julius F. Schwarz of Hickman, Nebr.; Mrs. Augusta
Bilderbeck and Miss Annie Gabriel of Alton. He farmed for many
years in the neighborhood of Fosterburg, but retired nine years
ago and came to Alton to reside. He was a well-known man
throughout the neighborhood East of Alton, and his death will be
much regretted. The funeral services will be held at the
Presbyterian church in Fosterburg, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30
o'clock. Burial will be in the Fosterburg cemetery.
GABRIEL, THEODORE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 3,
1916
Theodore Gabriel, aged 35, died at St. Joseph's Hospital
Saturday afternoon about fifteen hours after he was operated
upon for appendicitis. He was taken sick last Tuesday, and on
Friday was rushed to the hospital where an operation was
performed at 2 o'clock Saturday morning. He leaves his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gabriel, a brother, Fred, and two sisters,
Mrs. William Fenstermann and Miss Lottie Gabriel. He leaves a
second brother, Alvin, who resides with his parents. The funeral
will be held at the home at 8:30 o'clock Tuesday morning. The
burial will be in the Fosterburg Cemetery.
GADD, JANE/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 23, 1879
From
Bethalto – Mrs. Jane Gadd, nee Victor, died at the residence of
her son-in-law, Dr. J. C. Martin, at 10 o’clock p.m. last
Wednesday. She was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in
1795, and came to this place in the spring of 1858. In 1812, she
was married to Mr. George Richards, who died in 1827. Two sons,
Mr. John V. and Dr. N. B. Richards, of Bethalto, are the results
of this union. In 1828, she was married to Mr. John Gadd. Two
sons and three daughters were born to them. The elder of these
two sons died when but nineteen years old. All the other
children lived to comfort their mother in her last days. Her
second husband died in 1857. Mrs. Gadd united with the M. E.
Church in 1831, and continued a member of that church until the
society, of which she was a member, disbanded in 1867, when she
cast her lot in the C. P. Church, of which she remained a member
until her death. The grief-stricken family have the sympathy of
a large circle of friends in the death of one so dear to them.
GAISER, JOHN G./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 23, 1906
Well Known Shoemaker
John G. Gaiser, aged 72, died
Tuesday evening at his residence, 466 east Third street, after a
long illness from paralysis of the brain. Mr. Gaiser's trouble
began eight years ago when he fell and broke his hip bone. He
was able subsequently to get around with considerable effort and
was even able to continue following his trade of shoemaker,
which he did until he broke down completely and became almost
helpless. Mr. Gaiser had lived in Alton over fifty years, during
all of which time he was engaged in the making and repairing of
shoes and was in business with Louis Berner until a few years
ago. The firm of Berner & Gaiser was one of the oldest in Alton.
He was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America at
the age of 20. He was one of the charter members of the A. O. U.
W. lodge in Alton, and maintained his connection with that order
up to the time of his death. He was a highly respected citizen
and during his whole period of residence here he was known as an
upright, industrious man and most exemplary citizen. He leaves
beside his wife, five children, Mrs. O. H. Heide, Mrs. Joseph
Strubel, George Gaiser of Alton; Mrs. B. Guenther of Chicago;
and Will Gaiser of Wichita, Kansas. The funeral will be held
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home, 436 east
Third street, and services will be conducted by Rev. W. F.
Isler.
GALBALLY, MARY ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
July 9, 1903
Mary Elizabeth, the 22 months old daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Will Galbally, died Wednesday night at 10 o'clock
after an illness of two weeks from summer complaint. The child
was seemingly growing better and its parents were much
encouraged until Wednesday morning when unfavorable symptoms
appeared and death came. Mary Elizabeth was the oldest child of
her parents, and in their first affliction by death Mr. and Mrs.
Galbally have the sincerest sympathy of all their friends. The
funeral will be held Friday morning at 10 o'clock, and services
will be conducted in St. Paul's Episcopal church by Rev. F. W.
Cornell of St. Louis.
GALBALLY, RICHARD "DICK"/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 24, 1904
Well Known Glass Workers
Richard
Galbally, one of the best known men in the city of Alton, is
dead. He fell asleep about 3:30 o'clock Saturday morning after
several months of suffering at his home, Third and Apple
streets. There is not a man in Alton who ever met Mr. Galbally
but admired him; not a man in his employ but respected and loved
him with a love that is seldom found between employer and
employee. For 33 years in charge of the construction work of the
glass factories and in direct charge of the men of the big plant
at Alton, Richard Galbally made the remarkable record of not
having an enemy, or even one who would wish hill ill. Since his
illness made it imperative that he give up his duties at the
glass works, the inquiries as to his condition from the highest
to the lowest of the army of men who knew him were of the most
solicitous character. Every man hoped and wished that "Dick," as
he was familiarly known, might recover and return to his post of
duty. In his death there passes a kindly gentleman, one against
whom it would be hard indeed for even the most critical to say a
word, except of praise. He was the ideal superintendent, and
although he was known far and wide throughout the country, in
the glass making trade, as a good boss, there was no one who
took advantage of him. Probably no man will even be more
sincerely mourned, than quiet, mild-mannered Dick Galbally. He
came to Alton 33 years ago to work in the glass plant being
built on Belle street. His mind was of the constructive nature
and he took deep interest in the building and management of the
glass furnaces. When the glass plant was moved from Belle street
to its present location, it was Dick Galbally who built the
furnaces and directed all the work. He built every furnace in
the present big plant, and so valuable was he that when Dick was
taken ill with what seemed a fatal disease, it was said by his
employers that "Dick" was one man who could not be spared by the
Illinois Glass Co. After working hard all summer to get the
plant in readiness for the season's work, Mr. Galbally began to
feel the need of rest. He had taken no vacation and his health
began to give away. He retired from active labor, expecting that
a rest would do him good, but he continued to grow worse. For
four weeks he had been unable to lie down in bed much of the
time. The malady, Bright's disease, affected his heart and lungs
so that it was impossible for him to sleep unless reclining in a
chair. His friends were all hoping for the best, but their hopes
received little encouragement. His wife, his son, and
step-children were constant in their attention to him and most
of the family were with him when death took him. The
announcement of the death of Mr. Galbally produced a wave of
grief at the glass works where he had been the honored and
respected chief of the men for so many years. Mr. Galbally was a
member of the school board at the time of his death. He had held
various positions of honor and at one time was a member of the
Alton city council. He was sent to Europe at the time of the
Paris Exposition to study industrial conditions there, as a
representative of the glassblowers, by the Scipps-McRae league
of newspapers. Mr. Galbally's work in that direction was a
valuable contribution to the knowledge in America of foreign
labor. Mr. Galbally was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and was 55 years
of age. When very young he went to Lockport with his family and
stayed there until 1871, when he came to Alton to take a
position with the old Alton glass works on Belle street. He
remained with the Illinois Glass Co., when it was incorporated
and held the position of superintendent. He leaves his wife and
one son, William Galbally, and three stepchildren, Ernest E.
Bishop, Charles Bishop of Alton, and Mrs. Scott C. Ridgeway of
Chicago. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock
from the residence on Apple and Third streets.
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, December 27, 1904
The funeral of
Richard Galbally Monday afternoon was one of the largest ever
seen in Alton. Hundreds of the men who had worked under the late
chief at the glass works attended the funeral as a mark of
respect. There were representatives there in large numbers from
every department of the works, from the lowest paid laboring men
and boys to the highest officers of the plant. The services were
conducted at 2 o'clock in the family home, Third and Apple
streets, by Rev. M. W. Twing of the Baptist church. The
pallbearers were Messrs. George M. Levis general manager of the
glass works, and R. H. Levis, treasurer; A. E. Bassett, cashier;
Thomas Morfoot, superintendent; Mayor Henry Brueggemann and
James Duncan. Burial was in City cemetery. The floral offerings
from the men who had worked under Mr. Galbally were numerous and
costly. There was general grief over the sudden and untimely end
of Mr. Galbally, which found expression in the moist eyes and
the choked utterance of recollections of good things he had
done. A large number followed the casket and saw it laid away on
the brown of the hill in City cemetery, overlooking the big
plant that he had built.
GALE, BENJAMIN/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 30, 1875
Benjamin Gale, an old resident of Madison County, was run over
near Troy on Monday, and killed by the fast express on the
Vandalia Railroad. He was very deaf, and was sitting on a tie
near a curve in the road, and did not see the approaching train
in time to escape. Every effort was made to stop the train in
time, but to no purpose.
GALE, FRANK/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1873
Died
on January 31 in Alton, of brain fever, Frank, son of George and
Anna Gale; aged 7 years, 6 months, and 25 days.
GALLAGHER, ANDREW/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 4, 1886
Accidentally Shot
Sunday afternoon, Andrew Gallagher, who
lives near the Glass Works, returned from a hunting expedition.
He dismounted from the wagon in which he had made the trip, and
while holding some game in his left hand, pulled his gun from
the vehicle, the muzzle of the weapon towards him.
Unfortunately, the gun was discharged and the load of shot took
effect in his right breast, tearing a hole two inches or more in
diameter. Feeling that the wound was fatal, Mr. Gallagher walked
to a doorway nearby, and called on the horrified spectators to
send for his wife. He was removed to his residence, and Dr.
Haskell summoned, but the case was beyond surgery. The wounded
man lingered almost an hour, retaining consciousness to the
last, and then died. He was about 25 years old, and left a widow
and two or three children to mourn his tragic end. Coroner
Melling held an inquest, and the following verdict was rendered:
Deceased came to his death by the accidental discharge of a gun
in his own hand, in the city of Alton, on October 31, 1886.
GALLAGHER, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 4,
1902
John Gallagher, aged 74, died last night at St. Joseph's
hospital after a short illness with pneumonia. He had been a
resident of Alton 50 years. His wife died last summer, and since
then he had lived alone at Third and Vine streets, until taken
to the hospital a few days ago. The funeral will be held
Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Patrick's church.
GALLAGHER, JOHN ERNEST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 16, 1899
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gallagher, of the Depot
Hotel, were sadly afflicted today by the death of their infant
son, John Ernest, after an illness of only a few days. The
little fellow was one of a pair of twin boys that arrived at the
Gallagher home nine weeks ago. He took a severe cold on his
lungs a few days ago, and grew worse rapidly, death taking place
this morning. The affliction is a very heavy one to the family,
and they have the sympathy of a very large part of the
community. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the
Cathedral.
GALLAGHER, THOMAS EMMET/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
February 4, 1899
Thomas Emmet, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Gallagher, died at the family home at the Depot Hotel
this morning, after an illness of several weeks. A few months
ago two little boys, twins, arrived at the Gallagher home, but
their lives were all too short. The first death occurred three
weeks ago. The afflicted parents have a large share of sympathy
in their double bereavement. The funeral will be Sunday at 2
p.m. from the Cathedral.
GALLAGHER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF JOHN/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, June 20, 1901
After four months sickness with old
age ailments, Mrs. John Gallagher, aged 73, passed away
Wednesday afternoon at her home, 1210 East Third street. She has
resided in this city since 1855, and was esteemed by all who
knew her. Her husband survives her. The funeral will be Friday
morning from St. Patrick's church.
GALLOWAY, EDITH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 7, 1907
Edith Galloway, 5 years old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H.
Galloway, colored, died at 1 o'clock this morning at the home,
corner of Monroe and Madison streets, after a lingering illness.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m. from the A. M. E.
church in the north side. [Burial was in Rocky Fork cemetery]
GALLOWAY, UNKNOWN WIFE OF SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, June 25, 1903
North Alton News - The funeral of
Mrs. Samuel Galloway took place this morning and was attended by
a large number of friends and relatives. Services were conducted
by Rev. J. Will King, and interment was in Rocky Fork Cemetery.
GALVY, MARY/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1873
Burned to Death by Coal Oil Explosion
A sad and distressing
accident, occasioned by the explosion of a can of coal oil, took
place on Sunday morning at the residence of Mr. J. Stillwell on
Alby Street. A servant girl, named Mary Galvy, aged 16, was
engaged about 7 o’clock in making the kitchen fire. The wood
failing to ignite rapidly, she took a can of coal oil and poured
upon the wood to hasten the blaze. The flames penetrated into
the can, causing it to burst, throwing the burning fluid over
the person of the girl, and all over the room, setting
everything in a blaze. The family had not yet arisen, and the
shrieking girl, blinded by the flames, ran from one room to
another, striving to get outdoors. In a moment or two, Mr. John
Stillwell came to her help, opened the door and pushed her down
in the snow to put the fire out. Just then, Mr. H. M. Carr, who
boarded next door, and had heard her screams, also came to her
assistance, and obtaining a blanket from Mr. Stillwell, wrapped
it around the suffering girl and strove to smother the flames,
but the clothing was so completely saturated with the oil, that
it was almost impossible to put out the fire. Mr. Carr, from all
accounts, acted with great presence of mind, and did everything
possible, but by the time he had extinguished the flames, the
head, face, and person of the girl, down to the waist, had been
terribly burned. Her hair and the waist of her dress were burned
entirely off. Had it not been for Mr. Carr’s exertions, she
would have been burned to death on the spot. Meantime, the
inmates of the house had been extinguishing the fire in the
blazing room and removing the children from danger.
Dr.
Smith was at once summoned to attend the sufferer, and about ten
o’clock she was removed to her father’s residence on Ridge
Street. Her injuries are terrible, and though she was alive this
morning, the doctor does not think it possible for her to
survive. The incident furnishes another warning of the danger of
using coal oil in the manner indicated. Every day the lesson is
repeated in the papers, and every day some such heart-rending
incident as the above is recorded.
Later – Mary Galvy,
the girl who was so severely burned on Sunday morning by an
explosion of coal oil, at the residence of Mr. John Stillwell,
died this morning at seven o’clock, after suffering terribly for
three days. Her sad fate should be a warning to all, not to
attempt kindling a fire with coal oil. So many sad accidents
have resulted in this same way, that it does seem as if people
would never learn the danger of such experiments.
GAMBLE, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 7, 1852
Died
in Alton on the 30th ult., after a lingering illness, Mr.
William Gamble, aged 52 years. The deceased had been a resident
of Alton upwards of seventeen years. He leaves a wife and three
sons, and many friends to deplore his loss.
GAMBRILL, SALLIE K. (nee KERCHEVAL)/Source: Alton Telegraph,
August 13, 1874
The many friends of this estimable lady will
regret to hear of her death, which took place at her residence
on Fourth Street on Tuesday afternoon at four o’clock. Her
illness was long and protracted, but was borne with exemplary
patience, and her sufferings alleviated by the unwearied care
and attention of her devoted husband. During her residence in
Alton, Mrs. Gambrill won a host of friends who sincerely mourn
her untimely death. She was the daughter of Mr. F. B. and Helen
Kercheval, a leading citizen of St. Joseph, Missouri, to which
place her remains were taken for interment. Mr. A. H. Gambrill
has the sympathy of the entire community in his deep affliction.
GARDE, BENJAMIN L./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
23, 1911
Benjamin L. Garde, aged 73, died at his home, 436
Bluff street, at 12:45 o'clock Thursday noon after a long
illness from kidney and heart trouble. Mr. Garde was forced to
retire from active work last summer. For many years he conducted
a tin repair shop, and also did a hardware business in Alton. He
was born in Cork, Ireland, August 1_, 1838, and came to Alton
when he was a boy of 11 years. He spent the remainder of his
life in Alton. He was known as an expert workman in the trade he
followed, and he bore an excellent reputation as a business man
for honesty and uprightness. He was at one time connected with
the city fire department. Mr. Garde is survived by his wife and
five children, Misses Katherine, Margaret and Rose Garde, and
William and Benjamin Garde. He leaves also one sister, Mrs. Mary
Walsh of Springfield, who has been here several days attending
her brother.
GARDE, MARY/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 3, 1883
Died in
Alton, April 27, of spinal meningitis, Mary, infant daughter of
James M. and Hannah Garde.
GARDNER, BERTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 23,
1904
Bertha Gardner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gardner,
aged 12, died this morning at the family home on Fourth of July
Hill after a long illness with consumption. Miss Gardner has
been in a dying condition for several weeks, and at the time her
little brother was so severely burned with carbolic acid her
life was despaired of. The boy is still in a dangerous condition
and suffers severely from the acid burns. In their double
affliction the parents have the sympathy of everyone.
GARDNER, NATHANIEL/Source: Alton Telegraph, October 6, 1871
Shot in Self-Defense at Buck Inn
One of the most painful
cases of homicide we have ever been called upon to record took
place early Tuesday a.m., near Buck Inn, by which a young man of
unsound mind, Nathaniel Gardner, lost his life while making an
attack upon Mr. Fred K. Wendt, a well-known citizen of this
locality. Mr. Gardner was laboring under a paroxysm of insanity
at the time he assaulted Mr. Wendt, who shot in self-defense.
GARLAND, CHARLES/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 6, 1879
Mr. Charles Garland, a well-known resident of Godfrey, died
Sunday, March 2, 1879, at the residence of Professor J. K.
Hosmer, St. Louis. Deceased was 65 years, 10 months, and 6 days
old. The funeral took place at Prof. Hosmer’s residence Tuesday
afternoon. The remains were taken to Franklin, New Hampshire,
for interment.
GARNER, CLARENCE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
30, 1920
Killed By Train
The lifeless body of Clarence
Garner of Hillview, Ill., was found on the Chicago & Alton track
on Piasa street just north of Sixth street, by James Cooper and
Abraham Poindexter this morning, immediately after the C. & A.
train from Chicago had passed down. It was supposed that Garner
was killed by the train as he was walking around a pile of dirt
which the city had heaped up there, blocking the sidewalk and
making it necessary for passersby to walk around it by stepping
on the railroad track. According to the men who found the body,
Garner must have almost completed his detour around the pile of
dirt and was about ready to step off the track when the train
came down behind him and killed him. His head was crushed. Emil
Schmoeller supplied the information the police department was
able to get about the dead man. He said that he had written a
life insurance policy for Garner a few months ago for $2,000. At
that time Garner told him that his parents lived at Hillview and
that he had an interest in a $50,000 estate. The place where
Garner was killed is where the city is exploring for the cause
of trouble in the Sixth street sewer. It has been a matter of
three weeks since the trouble began to be searched for, but
flood of water coming through the broken sewer has been so
strong at the foot of the steep incline, it has been a very
difficult job to keep the hole clear of water so the men could
continue excavating. It was learned that Garner was boarding
with Mrs. Adams at Ninth and Piasa streets and that he was
employed at the Roxana refinery. The two men who found his body
said that the train had passed them a little further up the
track and that when they walked on down to Sixth street they
found the lifeless body of Garner lying there, as if just
killed. They were uncertain whether he had been hit by the train
or had fallen off it. It developed that Garner was on his way to
work when the accident occurred. The train crew did not report
the accident.
GARNER, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 18,
1916
James Garner, aged 65, died at the St. Joseph's Hospital
this morning after an illness which covered a period of ten
days. His death was due to an accident he sustained several
weeks ago, and pneumonia. Mr. Garner fell down the steps at his
home on East Second street several weeks ago. He had not fully
recovered from the fall before he was taken ill with pneumonia.
Although he lived by himself, he refused to be removed from his
quarters on East Second street. Finally he became delirious and
walked to this work at the Kane Grocery store one morning. After
this he was removed at once to the St. Joseph Hospital where his
condition has grown worse until this morning, at seven o'clock,
when he passed away. Mr. Garner was well known over the city,
especially in the east end where he worked for the Kane Grocery
Co during the past ten years. He is survived by two daughters,
one of whom lives in Alton. The funeral arrangements have not
been completed.
GARREN, NELSON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 20, 1904
Smallpox Victim
North Alton News - Nelson Garren, the
second smallpox victim of the year out in this vicinity, died
Saturday night and was buried shortly afterwards, or about 1
a.m., in Milton cemetery. The case is a most pitiable one, and
the county authorities are receiving the severest censure for
leaving Mrs. Garren alone with her husband all through his
illness. When the end came, it is said, she became temporarily
insane and pulled whole handfuls of hair from her head in her
anguish at being left alone with her dying husband. Sunday night
she was removed in a closed carriage to some place near
McClusky, her former home, and the house of death has been
thoroughly fumigated. It is apparent to most of those acquainted
with the facts that there has been a bad neglect or ignoring of
the laws of public health, and indignation and fear alike reign
in this community, especially in the immediate vicinity of the
occurrence.
GARRETT, ANNIE/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, January 12,
1882
Suicide or Muder??
At 10 o’clock this morning, Mrs.
Ada Swallenstecker was passing along Langdon Street, and when
she arrived opposite the house belonging to George White, near
the corner of Sixth and Langdon Streets, she discovered smoke
issuing from the roof. The alarm was immediately given, the
neighbors gathered to render all the assistance possible, and
commenced removing goods from the burning house. The doors, as
we understand, were all found fastened, but an entry was forced.
The firemen arrived at the place on quick time, made an
attachment to the nearest water plug, and commenced playing on
the flames. The house was a two-story frame with a porch in
front, steps on the outside leading to the upper story. The fire
was principally in the northeast room on the second floor, where
it seemed to have originated, and where the efforts of the
firemen were directed. A. M. Bruden entered this room, and amid
the smoke and flames, discovered a prostrate, white object. He
caught at it and grasped a human hand, the hand of a corpse.
This harrowing discovery caused further investigation, which
resulted in revealing the sad fact that the dead body was that
of Mrs. Annie Garrett, a resident of the house. The flames were
soon extinguished, but not until the roof of the building was
almost burned off, and the whole upper story badly damaged, the
lower part escaping the ravages of the fire to a great extent.
The body of Mrs. Garrett was found to be wrapped in one of
the coverings of the bed on which she was lying, her head and
neck, being tightly enclosed. On removing the wrappings, it was
found that a ghastly, gaping wound, three inches long,
disfigured her neck, cutting partly through the trachea, a wound
that alone would soon have proved fatal. This terrible discovery
roused the excitement that previously existed to the highest
pitch, and the air was full of rumors of murder and robbery.
Justice Noonan impaneled a jury and proceeded to the place
as soon as possible. After viewing the body, the jury adjourned
to the residence of Mr. Manuel H. Boals, nearly opposite, where
the witnesses were examined. The first was Miss Emma White,
about 14 years old, daughter of the owner of the house. She and
her father boarded with Mrs. Garrett. Her evidence was to the
effect that the deceased was often greatly depressed in spirits.
She paid a visit to St. Louis or East St. Louis Tuesday,
returning home in the evening, appearing more sad than ever
after that visit. Her father and mother live in East St. Louis,
and are named Riley. Miss White left deceased at 9 o’clock, and
went to school, the door being locked by deceased after she went
out. The witness stated that at 8:30 o’clock, a man, supposed to
be a tramp, called at the house and rang the bell, but as no one
went to the door, he soon left. Many claim that the visit of
this man had something to do with the tragedy, but there was
nothing to show that he went to the place after the call
mentioned above.
George White, engineer at Allen &
Ryrie’s mill, testified that he was the owner of the house, the
scene of the tragedy. He and his daughter had boarded with
deceased, paying her $5 per week, and receiving $5 per month as
rent for the house. Deceased was variable in spirits, sometimes
cheerful, at others greatly depressed. Her husband, Ed Garrett,
has for two years resided in Colorado. Witness left the house
about 6:30 in the morning.
A letter from Ed Garrett to
his wife, dated at Ouray, Colorado, December 16, 1881, was read
to the jury. In it he stated, presumably in answer to
complaints, that he sent her all the money he could spare;
charged that all she wanted was his money; that he would not
return to her until she was willing to pay him as much attention
as she did her other friends.
Albert M. Brudon of the
Fire Department stated that in obedience to the orders of Chief
Engineer Smith, he went into the room where the fire seemed
principally located, and there found the body. Part of the hair
was burnt off the head; a bedspread was wrapped tightly around
the head, close enough to smother her had there been no smoke.
Her limbs were drawn up as though in a death struggle. There was
a strong smell of coal oil about the place as though everything
had been saturated with it.
After an examination of all
the evidence, the jury rendered a verdict that deceased came to
her death by her own hand. A great many persons disagreed with
this finding, thinking it a tolerably clear case of murder, some
claiming that it was the act of her relatives, she being a white
woman, married to a colored man. However, there was no evidence
before the jury to show that the act was other than suicide.
There was certainly no robbery in the case, as nothing was
taken. On the contrary, quite a lot of jewelry was lying
untouched about the house, showing that if it was a murder, the
motives remain a mystery.
The remains were taken in
charge by the undertaker, Mr. W. L. Klunk, and removed to the
residence of Mrs. Ellsworth on Henry Street, to await news from
relatives of deceased in East St. Louis, to whom, through the
City Marshal of that place, Justice Noonan sent a telegram. The
house was insured for $800. Nothing has yet been developed to
show how the fire originated, but it was evidently not
accidental.
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, January 13,
1882
There is a strong sentiment in the community that Mrs.
Annie Garrett, who was found dead with her throat cut in the
burning house near the corner of Sixth and Langdon Streets, was
the victim of foul play and did not commit suicide. One
circumstance was the fact that no knife or other similar weapon
with which self-murder could have been committed by the
unfortunate woman, was found about the place, with the exception
of a small pocket knife with the back spring broken, discovered
by the little girl, Emma White, in a bureau drawer. Still, a
knife might have been lying under the large amount of debris
that covered the floor where the body was found. As there was no
robbery, some other reason must be ascribed for the deed that a
desire for plunder. Some hold the opinion that the woman was
murdered, and the murderer ran out by the back door and made his
escape. They say, “How could the woman, after her throat was
cut, wrap her head and shoulders so closely in the quilt? What
object could she have had in setting fire to the house?” The
organ and other furniture moved into the enclosure of Mr. Boals
gave evidence of the presence of kerosene, hours after being in
the open air.
White the official inquiry was in progress,
curious crowds visited the place. Policeman Horat was on guard
over the body, and some of the friends and acquaintances of the
dead woman were permitted to view the remains. Exclamations of
horror and dismay were heard as the gaping wound in the throat
was revealed. It was a tragedy such as Alton has but seldom
witnessed, and roused the community to an unwonted degree of
excitement.
A younger sister of Mrs. Garrett, Miss
Jennings, accompanied by a brother-in-law, arrived in town last
evening from East St. Louis, having received the painful news by
a telegram. They can throw no light on the affair, but on the
contrary state that they knew nothing of the marriage of Mrs.
Garrett, supposing her to be living with a family in St. Louis,
her letters all being postmarked at that place. The relatives
did not take charge of the body, stating that deceased’s mother
was old and decrepit, and they desired to keep her as much in
the dark as possible with reference to her daughter’s sad end.
In consequence of this decision, the funeral will take place
tomorrow afternoon, and the remains will be buried in the Alton
City Cemetery.
In order to allay the excitement and set
at rest the rumors of murder, Mr. H. S. Willms found a razor on
the floor amid the debris, under the place where the bed stood,
on which the dead body was found. The blade of the weapon, which
was apparently a new one, was encrusted with clotted blood, the
pearl handle having been partly destroyed by the action of the
fire. The blade was very sharp, just suitable for the deadly
work that it undoubtedly performed.
Mr. Ed White, keeper
of the Magnolia restaurant, says that Mrs. Garrett was employed
by him as a dining room girl, when he was keeping an eating
house in St. Louis, and that the man Garrett was employed by him
at the same time as a cook, and that the two became acquainted
there and finally married. Mrs. Garrett left home for an hour
Wednesday evening, returning at 9 o’clock. It may be that she
bought the razor, which appeared to be a new one, at that time.
Indictment of George White and His Daughter
Source: Alton
Daily Telegraph, April 29, 1882
George White and his
daughter, Emma, were indicted by the grand jury at Edwardsville
yesterday, on a charge of murdering Mrs. Annie Garrett, found
dead in White’s burning house, January 12. About the only
evidence additional to that already published is that of the key
of the front door being found in the front yard at the place of
the tragedy, some time after the occurrence, the door having
been found locked by the firemen when they reached the building.
If Mrs. Garrett locked herself in when left by Emma White on
going to school, how came the key to be in the front yard?
Another point is the alleged fact that White paid a silver half
dollar, stained with blood, to a person who had done some work
for him. It was claimed positively by some, that the stain was
caused by the blood of a murdered person, because “it would not
wash off.” We opine, however, that a chemist would not have much
faith in that theory. The complaint before the grand jury was
made by Edward Garrett, husband of the unfortunate woman, but
the evidence presented was entirely circumstantial. Deputy
Sheriff Rudershausen arrested White and his daughter this
afternoon, and took them to Edwardsville. He also had in custody
Mary E. Quinn, indicated for assault with intent to kill.
The Case of George White
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph,
May 15, 1882
George White, accused of the murder of Mrs.
Annie Garrett, was taken before the Justice, gave a bond of
$1,000, with John E. Hayner and George H. Allen as securities,
and was discharged from custody. The case was set for
examination today, but due to the absence of State’s Attorney
Yager, a postponement took place until next Monday.
Trial
of George White
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 22-25,
1882
A trial commenced for George White, accused of murdering
Mrs. Annie Garrett. A large crowd of spectators was present. The
first witness, Albert M. Brudon, a fireman, testified he found
the body of a woman, lying on her back on a bed, limbs drawn up,
a gash across her throat, a little shawl around her neck, and a
bedspread around her head, knotted behind. The second witness,
Mrs. Cornelia Howard, stated a brass door key was handed to her
the day of the fire. She did know who it was, other than it was
a lady. Edward Garrett, the husband of Mrs. Annie Garrett, was
married June 3, 1875, and came to Alton in 1876. He testified he
never had any particular trouble with his wife, except the usual
family spats. Edward went to Colorado in 1879, and tried to
induce his wife to join him. Dr. J. P. Garvin testified he found
a zepher scarf, about a yard long, around the throat of Mrs.
Garrett, with no covering over her head. The wound in her throat
would not have caused her death. The body was cold. Death must
have ensued from suffocation. It is probably that if someone had
attempted to murder her, the cut would have been more effectual.
Edward Poindexter stated that George White gave him a razor to
sharpen, which he did and returned the razor. H. S. Willms
testified he was at the fire, and was a member of the Coroner’s
jury. A bedspread was wrapped around the head and face of Mrs.
Garrett so tightly as to turn the nose somewhat to one side. A
razor blade was found the next day, clotted with blood, under
the bedstead where the body was found. The handle was wrapped
with twine to keep the blade firm. Harriet Thompson, 15 years of
age, testified her father told her, the night before the fire,
to sleep in his bed. She went to bed crying. “In her slumber of
sleep,” she thought she heard Mrs. Garrett begging in the night,
and saying, “Go way from me and let me alone, I won’t tell it.”
In the morning, her father, after being very busy upstairs, came
down with some bloody cloths. He said his nose had been
bleeding. She wanted to call Mrs. Garrett in the morning, but
her father objected. Chief Engineer Smith of the fire department
was re-called, and testified Mrs. Garrett’s lower limbs at the
sides were brown, somewhat charred from the fire, the hair on
the side of the head was burned off, cut in her throat seemed to
be about 3 inches long, the wound at one side next to the
jugular vein was an inch deep. The quilt placed over the face
looked as though pressed down tight over the nose and mouth. Dr.
Hardy’s testimony was read, and stated from the description of
Mr. Smith, the wound would produce death, and judged death
occurred one or two hours previous to be found. David Searls,
about 10 years old, testified he passed White’s house with his
brother at midnight, the night before the fire. They heard
somebody “hollering” in the house. He saw White open the door
easy and come out. There was a light in the house. They saw
somebody moving upstairs. When White came out, he stood between
his grape vines. The two boys then ran away. It was 2 o’clock
when they got home, about one-half mile from White’s. [Note:
Mrs. Searls later refuted the boy’s testimony, stating on the
night in question, the boy was not out of the house, that he was
sick and was in the room with her all night.]
George
White than testified that he was 40 years old, and for ten years
had been an engineer at Allen & Ryrie’s mill. He lived in Alton
since about 1861, and he came from Tennessee. He lived in the
house with Mrs. Garrett 4 years, she paying $5 a month rent.
Mrs. Garrett seemed as well as usual that morning. She and Emma
slept together upstairs, while he slept downstairs. He left home
for the mill about 6 o’clock in the morning, and knew nothing of
Mrs. Garrett’s death. He heard of the fire while at the mill,
and took a horse and rode home as soon as possible. He found the
house burning and Mrs. Garrett dead.
Emma White
testified she was fourteen years old, and knew Mrs. Garrett for
four years. She slept with Mrs. Garrett the night before the
fire, and we got breakfast. Mrs. Garrett fixed her for school.
She left home at a quarter before nine by the front door, and
left Mrs. Garrett in the kitchen standing by the table. A man
came to the house that morning, and Mrs. Garrett told me not to
let him in, as he was a tramp. My father got up that morning and
built the fire.
Al W. Hardy testified that George White
came to the mill 10 to 15 minutes before 7 that morning. His
appearance was as usual. Mr. Ryrie went to the telephone in the
office at the mill and told Al that White’s house was on fire.
White seemed greatly startled, and got out of there as soon as
possible.
Manuel H. Boals testified he lived across the
street from George White. He got to the burning house a little
after 10; water was thrown about; heard that a dead body was
found and went into the house and saw that the body was that of
a woman. The lower limbs were slightly drawn up, arms placed by
her side; arms were not rigid. He though he was the first person
in the place after the news went out that a dead body was there.
The body was partly nude; a quilt or part of a quilt was over
the face as though thrown there carelessly; did not see any
knots in the quilt.
Following the testimonies, the
decision of the court was rendered by Justice Williams. He
announced that although the evidence was conflicting, it was not
sufficient to hold the accused, and he was discharged.
There was still considerable excitement over the White case,
with difference of opinions. However according to the Telegraph,
the defense clearly proved an alibi, and the prosecution failed
to impeach or refute the evidence upon which the alibi was
based.
George White Acquitted in Murder of Annie Garret
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 31, 1883
George White, colored,
accused of complicity in the death of Mrs. Annie Garrett, who
was found with her throat cut in White’s house on Langdon
Street, January 12, 1882, was tried before a jury and acquitted.
The only way of connecting him with the tragedy was to show that
the deed was committed hours before the fire broke out. The
prosecution failed on this point.
GARRETT, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 18,
1905
Insane Man Commits Suicide
While the East Alton
people were bemoaning their losses (flood), at 1 o'clock Henry
Garrett, whose mind was unbalanced by the flood, and who had
been lingering around while rescue work was going on, took too
many drinks of whisky, and in a short time was frenzied. He ran
from the saloon of Ben Picker on Shamrock street and plunging
into deep water in the middle of the street, was drowned. He was
about 30 years of age and was unmarried. His body was recovered
by Fred Walling.
GARVIN, HARRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 9,
1912
Harry Garvin, aged 30, died this afternoon at 1 o'clock
at his home, 1221 Central avenue, after a long illness with
enlargement of the spleen. The funeral will be Wednesday
afternoon from the residence of his uncle, William Graham.
GARVIN, J. PAUL (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May
12, 1902
The funeral of Dr. J. Paul Garvin was held at noon
and burial was in City Cemetery. The funeral party arrived over
the Burlington before noon and was met at the depot by some of
the friends of Dr. Garvin and his family. At the cemetery was a
gathering of the old friends of Dr. Garvin who placed floral
tributes on the grave. The funeral service of the Episcopal
church was read by Rev. H. M. Chittenden of St. Paul's church.
The pallbearers were H. M. Schweppe, Dr. C. B. Rohland, Fred
Schiess, G. H. Smiley, George R. Hewitt and C. W. Milnor.
GARZENE, UNKNOWN WIFE OF JEROME/Source: Alton Telegraph,
January 25, 1883
Mrs. Jerome Garzene, mother of Mrs. A.
Inveen, died Sunday, January 21, at the residence of her
daughter on Henry Street, at the age of 83 years. Deceased was a
native of Paris, France, and came to America 31 years ago. She
lived in Vermilion, Dakota, 20 years, and came to Alton on May
10, 1881, and had since lived with her daughter, Mrs. A. Inveen.
The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon from the family
residence. Besides Mrs. Inveen, she leaves her husband, a son in
Nebraska, and daughter at Sioux City, with other relatives and
friends to mourn her death.
GASAWAY, JAMES/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, April 3, 1882
James Gasaway, an employee at Alton Junction [East Alton] of the
Illinois & St. Louis Railway was instantly killed Saturday
afternoon while attempting to board a freight train at Bozzatown
[Alton]. The unfortunate man was run over, crushed and torn into
an almost unrecognizable mass of flesh and bones. The remains
were taken in charge by the railway company, and a telegram sent
to Coroner Youree, who arrived in town Saturday evening and held
an inquest at the scene of the tragedy. The fragments of a watch
and $4.90 in money were found on the person of the victim. The
jury returned a verdict that death resulted from an attempt to
board a moving freight train. No blame attached to the employees
of the road on account of the accident. The remains were taken
by undertaker Hoffmann, placed in a coffin, and were forwarded
to Fern, Indiana, where the parents of Gasaway reside. He was
engaged to be married to an estimable young lady of Hillsboro.
GASKILL, HANNAH/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 11, 1841
Died, at Ridge Prairie, Madison County, Illinois, on Saturday
the 4th inst., Mrs. Hannah Gaskill, consort of Mr. Silvanus
Gaskill, in the 49th year of her age.
GASKILL, SETH W./Source: Alton Telegraph, August 10, 1866
Died in Alton on Wednesday morning, August 1, Seth W. Gaskill;
aged 28 years.
GASKILL, SILVANUS/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 7, 1842
Died, at Ridge Prairie, Madison County, Illinois, on the morning
of the 27th April, Mr. Silvanus Gaskill, aged 52 years, 9
months, and 7 days - an old and highly respectable inhabitant of
that place.
GASKINS, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 24,
1909
Mrs. Annie Gaskins, aged 87, died shortly before
midnight Tuesday night at the home of her son, Eugene Gaskins,
at the corner of Grove and Liberty streets. Her death was due to
great age. Her passing away was peaceful and quiet. Her
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Eugene Gaskins, had just assisted the aged
woman to bed and had tucked her in for the night. She wanted a
drink, and Mrs. Gaskins went downstairs to get some water for
her. When she returned with the drink of water, the old lady had
passed away and was dead. She had suffered none and must have
fallen asleep and died in her sleep. She was in apparently good
health yesterday, although for a long time she had been almost
helpless and would spend most of her time sitting in her chair.
During her long period of residence in Alton, almost all of the
old friends of Mrs. Gaskins had died or moved away from the
city, and outside of her family she was alone in the world. Her
husband, William Gaskins, died 27 years ago. Mrs. Gaskins was
born at Bristol, Pa., and came to Alton in 1846. She leaves
three sons, E. V. Gaskins of Greenville, Ill., Eugene and Fred
Gaskins of Alton. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday
afternoon from the home of Eugene Gaskins.
GASKINS, MINNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 28,
1915
Mrs. Minnie Gaskins, wife of Fred Gaskins, died at the
St. Joseph's Hospital at 10 o'clock Monday night, after an
illness of many weeks duration with a malady that baffled
physicians. Mrs. Gaskins was 50 years of age and has resided in
Alton all of her life. She was the eldest daughter of S. H.
Malcolm of Alton. She leaves besides her aged father, her
husband and two sons, Sidney and Allen; also two brothers, Harry
and J. M. Malcolm; and two sisters, Mrs. William King of Alton,
and Mrs. Joseph Logan of Colorado Springs, Colo. Mrs. Gaskins
was taken ill a number of weeks ago at the time that she was in
apparently robust health. Her illness was thought to be slight
for several weeks, when it developed into something more
serious. Finally she was removed to the St. Joseph's Hospital to
be given expert attention and nursing, and her case grew
steadily worse. Last night the members of the family were called
to her bedside when it was believed that she was dying, and she
passed away about 10 o'clock. Several times in the past two
weeks Mrs. Gaskins was believed to be dying, but each time
rallied and seemed better. For two days she was in a state of
coma, and it was believed the end was near, but she became
better and even as late as Sunday recognized those who were
allowed to see her. Mrs. Joseph Logan of Colorado Springs,
Colo., reached here in time to see her sister while she was
still conscious, and within the past two days Mrs. Gaskins
recognized her aged father, S. H. Malcolm, and her husband and
sons. Mrs. Gaskins was a life-long member of the Twelfth Street
Presbyterian Church, and has always been an active church
worker. Her death comes as a great shock to her family and her
circle of friends where she was a valued worker and companion.
The funeral of Mrs. Gaskins will be held Thursday morning at 10
o'clock from the home on Grove street. Rev. Mr. Baker of the
Twelfth Street Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Gaskins was a
lifelong member, will have charge of the funeral service.
GASKINS, WILLIAM SPENCER/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 1,
1883
Mr. William S. Gaskins, one of the oldest, most
respected citizens of Alton, died a few minutes after one
o’clock this morning, after a long and painful illness, at the
age of 75 years, of a disease of a bronchial nature. Mr. Gaskins
was a native of Norfolk, Virginia, came to Alton 50 years ago on
December 31, and had lived here ever since, engaged in various
lines of business. He bore the sufferings incident to his last
sickness with true Christian patience and fortitude, and was
ready for the final summons. He left a stricken widow, Annie
(Goslin) Gaskins, and two sons, Messrs. Fred and Eugene Gaskins,
with many attached friends to mourn his death. [Burial was in
the Alton City Cemetery.]
GASS, BERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 6, 1917
Bert Gass, aged 39, died at St. Joseph's Hospital this morning
after a long illness with a complication of diseases. He leaves
his wife and one child. Word was sent today to his father, who
lives at Kingston Mines, Ill.
GASSMAN, A./Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June 27, 1882
A
German from Highland, named A. Gassman, committed suicide
yesterday by throwing himself headlong from the third story
window of a hotel.
GATES, CYNTHIA/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 22, 1864
Died at Troy, Madison County, Illinois, December 31, 1863, 11
o’clock p.m., of dropsy, Mrs. Cynthia Gates, wife of Dr. Joseph
Gates, and daughter of the Rev. W. C. Ballard, in the 54th year
of her age.
GATES, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 8, 1907
John Gates' body was claimed today by his family after being
held three weeks by Coroner Streeper. Gates was killed three
weeks ago today by falling while trying to jump aboard a Bluff
Line train at Wood River. Coroner Streeper has been searching
ever since then for his family. The coroner is also holding the
body of John Kilroy of Bloomington, killed by an interurban car
about the same time, but his family has not claimed it.
GATES, JOSEPH (DOCTOR)/Source: Madison County Courier,
November 2, 1865
Died, at the residence of his son-in-law, J.
G. Willoughby, in Collinsville precinct, Madison County,
Illinois, on Sunday, October 1, 1865, Dr. Joseph Gates, botanic
physician, aged 82 years, 2 1/2 months. Dr. Gates was born at
Salem, Washington County, New York, July 16, 1783. He emigrated
to Madison County about 37 years ago.
GATES, MARY B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 5, 1904
Mrs. Mary B. Gates, a resident of Alton 45 years, died Monday
afternoon at 4:20 o'clock at the home of her son, W. C. Gates,
Eighth and Langdon streets, after a two weeks illness from the
grip. Mrs. Gates' death was unexpected as it was not supposed
she was dangerously ill. She sank away yesterday into a peaceful
sleep and passed to the Great Beyond. Mrs. Gates was the widow
of W. C. Gates Sr., and was the mother of a family consisting of
Mrs. James Stewart of St. Louis; Mrs. John Rutledge of
Baltimore, Md.; Mrs. Philo Blinn of Rocky Ford, Colo.; W. C.
Gates of Alton; and Pearl B. Gates of Ridgeway, Colo. The
funeral of Mrs. Gates will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2
o'clock from the house of her son, Mr. W. C. Gates, and will be
private.
GATES,
WILLIAM C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 4, 1922
Senior Member of Gates-Clark Dry Goods Co.
William C. Gates,
senior member of the firm of Gates-Clark Dry Goods Co., and one
of the best known business men and church men of Alton, died at
his home on Bluff Street at 11 o'clock today, after an illness
of only a few days. He was 53 years old. Last Saturday night,
just a week ago, Mr. Gates went home with a cold which was
believed to be a slight affliction. Yesterday morning he
developed pneumonia and by last night the attending physician
realized that his condition was serious. During the night he
became worse and despite efforts to aid him, he died at 11
o'clock this morning.
The death of Mr. Gates removed
from Third Street one of the best known and strongest characters
in Alton business circle. Likewise, his death removed one of the
most prominent and strongest church workers in the city. All the
members of Mr. Gates family were with him when he died, with the
exception of Wilford, his only son, who was at Illinois
University attending school. The condition of the father did not
become serious until last night when word was sent the son to
come home. Besides his wife and son, Mr. Gates leaves three
daughters, Alice, a teacher in the high school, Gladys at home,
and Dorothy, a student at Shurtleff College.
William C.
Gates was born in Alton in 1869, and has spent all of his life
here with the exception of short periods when he was employed
out of the city. He began his business life as a clerk in the
Pierson & Carr Dry Goods store, where he learned the dry goods
business. Later, he went to St. Louis and worked in a wholesale
house to better educate himself and in 1907, in partnership with
William Clark, he went into business at 111 West Third Street.
In 1907 the firm moved to larger quarters in the Commercial
building. Mr. Gates has always been active in all of the
business activities of the street and was known for his
aggressiveness, and was known as a good friend and as a worthy
foe in a complication. On the 25th of January he celebrated his
29th wedding anniversary. He was married to Miss Lulu Miller of
Belleville in 1893. Four daughters and one son were born to the
couple, one daughter having died several years ago.
In
his church life, Mr. Gates was one of the most helpful and
progressive men in the city. For over twenty years he was
superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School, and at the time of
his death he was president of the Men's Bible class of this
church. A sweet singer, he filled the post of musical leader and
chorister from time to time for many years. In the Alton
Y.M.C.A., from the time of his young manhood, he has been an
active worker. In all of the financial campaigns of this
institution his was one of the leading minds and he remained a
member of the directing board of this institution to the time of
his death.
Mr. Gates is also survived by three sisters:
Mrs. Anna Stewart, who resides in St. Louis, Mrs. John Rutledge
of Urbana, Illinois, Mrs. Philo K. Blinn of Rocky Ford,
Colorado, as well as a brother, P. B. Gates, of Denver,
Colorado. The funeral will be from the home, 415 Bluff Street,
at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon. The Rev. M. W. Twing, pastor of
the First Baptist Church, will conduct the services. [Internment
was in the Alton City Cemetery.]
NOTES:
William C.
Gates was born in Alton in 1869. He married Louise “Lulu” Miller
of Belleville, in 1893, and they had four daughters and one son:
Hallie Gates (1895-1918) died at age 23 of influenza.
Alice
Gates (1897-1987) was a school teacher at Alton High School for
44 years, retiring in 1962.
Dorothy Gates (1903-1992) was
employed in the accounting department at Owens-Illinois Glass
Co.
Gladys Gates Cromwell
Wilfred Miller Gates (1899-1939)
died in Toledo, Ohio.
Gates, along with William Clark,
took over the former Haagen Dry Goods, and founded the
Gates-Clark Dry Goods Store, located on Third Street in downtown
Alton.
GATTINGER, EMMA LOUISE/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 15,
1872
Died on October 31, at Godfrey, Emma Louise, infant
daughter of Louis and Sue Gattinger; aged 1 year, 11 months, and
11 days.
GATTINGER, SUSAN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 5,
1915
Mrs. Susan Gattinger, widow of Louis Gattinger, aged 75,
died from old age at her home in Godfrey township after being
bedfast five years. Mrs. Gattinger was born in Alton and was a
member of the well known Martin family, of which there are two
brothers, James Martin and Dr. William Martin; and one sister,
Mrs. L. B. Sidway, surviving. Mrs. Gattinger was a student at
Monticello Seminary in the days of Principal Fobes, and was
therefore one of the oldest of the former Monticello students.
She leaves two daughters, Misses Helen and Luella, and one son,
Louis Gattinger. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2
o'clock from the home in Godfrey.
GAUCH, EDWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 22,
1918
Edward Gauch, aged 63, died at the Alton State Hospital
last night, where he has been a patient for some time. His body
will be shipped to Belleville tomorrow, and will be buried in
that place.
GAUL, FRED/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 29, 1904
The funeral of Fred Gaul was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock
from his late home, and services were conducted by Rev. Theodore
Oberhellman of the German Evangelical church. Burial was in City
Cemetery. There was a large attendance of old friends of Mr.
Gaul and the family at the funeral.
GAVIN, PHIL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 24, 1907
Phil Gavin, a long time resident of Alton, died Saturday evening
at his home at the corner of Belle and Hamilton streets after an
illness of several days from liver trouble. Several days ago
while ill he fell out of a window in which he was seated at his
home and injured himself slightly, but complications developed
which ended in death. He was __ [unreadable, but might be 60]
years old and spent most of his life in Alton. He leaves a widow
and four children, three sons and a daughter. The funeral will
be held tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock from the Cathedral.
GEARING, JAMES M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 16,
1915
James Millinger Gearing, a pamphlet distributor,
optimist and Sunday school worker, died Monday night at his home
on Park Avenue in Upper Alton after an illness of neuralgin of
the heart. His illness dates back several years when he was
first troubled with bunions as the result of too constant
devotion to his duty as he spent the greater part of his working
hours walking about the city, following his occupation of
distributing circulars. He refused to give up his walk until he
actually had to, and then he remained home for several months
and took treatment. He got out quickly and resumed his work
again, but he was never as strong and able in body as before. Up
to last Saturday he was seen on the streets working, but his
great age was an additional factor in lessening his vital
strength. Last Sunday, after returning from teaching his Bible
class in the First Presbyterian Sunday school, he became
seriously ill and kept getting worse until last night. Mr.
Gearing was born June 5, 1839, in Pittsburg, Pa. He spent his
early days in St. Louis, coming to Alton about forty years ago.
He worked for some time as a newspaper circulator on the
Sentinel-Democrat and on the Telegraph, and afterwards took up
the work of distributing pamphlets. He was reputed to be one of
the best in his line in this work, because of his unswerving
devotion to duty. He would be out in all kinds of weather and
never missed a chance to get in a day's work, and it may be said
of him that he always did his work well and conscientiously, and
thus was eagerly sought by distributing agencies. He was a good
natured optimist, and always had a smile for everybody. To a
great many persons the distributing of pamphlets would be a
difficult job, especially when people would get angry at what
they termed the littering up of their places with worthless
printed matter, and scold the distributor, but Mr. Gearing
always complacently smiled at these remarks and generally before
he left he had the housewife in a good humor. He leaves his
wife, Mrs. Alice W. Gearing, to whom he was married thirty-five
years ago, and three children. Walter Gearing of Grafton is a
child by his first wife who died many years ago. The children by
the second wife are Roy Gearing, agent for the American Express
Company in Alton; and Miss Dorothy Gearing who is a stenographer
in St. Louis, and resides with her parents. For twenty-one years
he taught a Bible class in the Upper Alton Presbyterian Church
and rarely missed a Sunday. At times he filled the place of
superintendent of the Sunday school when the regular
superintendent or the pastor was absent. He was greatly devoted
to his Sunday school work, and it was one of his greatest
pleasures. The funeral will be held Thursday morning at 10:30
o'clock at the home. The Rev. C. N. McManis, pastor of the Upper
Alton Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in
Oakwood Cemetery.
GEERS, WILLIAM LAWRENCE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
February 22, 1917
Descendant of George Washington's Mother
Dies
William Lawrence Geers of Edwardsville, a native of
Madison county and a descendant of George Washington's mother,
died yesterday at the home of his nephew, Attorney M. L. Geers.
He had been ill for some time. On June 26, 1912, his daughter,
Miss Grace Geers and Miss Julia Schmidt, a companion at her
father's farm, were killed by George Nichols, a farm hand, who
has never been captured. Geers traveled extensively for several
years and employed detectives to search the country for Nichols.
Geers was born August 5, 1845 on a farm east of Edwardsville. At
the age of 17 years he quit school, his father and three other
brothers enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until August
1865. He married Miss Susan E. Morris October 9, 1878. Two
brothers, C. B. Geers, Hatton, Ok., and Jesse Geers, Spearfish,
S. D., and a sister, Mrs. Jennie Luttrell, Myrtle Point, Ore.,
survive. The funeral will be Saturday afternoon and burial will
be at Troy.
GEHRE, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 22,
1922
John Gehre, aged 53, for many years a leader in labor
circles of the city, died at one o'clock this morning at his
home, 406 Chamberlain avenue. Gehre, a cigar maker, has been in
the employ of August Graessle, manufacturer. He was unmarried
and leaves no close relatives. A half-sister, Mary Reid, resides
in St. Louis. Gehre was ill for one week with heart trouble. No
arrangements for the funeral have been completed. Gehre was born
and raised in Alton and was a well known man.
GEISELMANN, LENA/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April
17, 1919
Mrs. Lena Geiselmann, the aged mother of Mrs. John
Kettler of Marine, died at her home in Marine at 6:30 Sunday
night after a lingering illness which extended over a number of
months. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the
Evangelical church in Marine. Rev. Paul Buchmueller conducted
the religious services.
GEISEN, CATHERINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 1,
1920
Miss Catherine Geisen died last night at 9:40 o'clock at
the home of her sister, Mrs. Joseph Eckhoff of 1511 Central
Avenue, following an illness of three months. Miss Geisen, who
was one of eleven children, was 25 years of age. She had been
ill for three months and her death was not unexpected. Miss
Geisen was born in Armour, Ind. She is survived by four sisters,
Mrs. Eckhoff, Misses Elizabeth, Margaret and Anne Geisen of
Alton, and six brothers, William, Benjamin, Anton and Emil
Geisen of Alton, and Leo Geisen of Camp Meade, Md. Funeral
arrangements were incomplete today, and will be announced
tomorrow.
GEISEN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 27,
1919
William Geisen, 54 years old, died yesterday afternoon
at the Nazareth Home. He will be buried Saturday at 9 a.m. from
the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Eckoff, 2211 Central avenue.
Services will be conducted at the Nazareth Home chapel and
interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. He leaves his
mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Geisen of Armour, Ind., and six sons,
William, Anthony and Emil of Alton, Jacob of Bensmore, Ala., Leo
of Newport News, Va., and Ben of Cincinnati, Ohio; and five
daughters, Mrs. J. Eckoff of Anna, Margaret and Elizabeth Geisen
of Alton, and Catherine of Armour, Ind.,; and two sisters, Mrs.
Elizabeth Burke and Mrs. Lena Rhein of Armour, Ind.
GEISENINGER, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January
22, 1916
William Geiseninger died at the St. Joseph's
hospital last evening after an illness of several days with
pneumonia. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.
GEISER, FREDRICK/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March 22,
1893
Drowned in Shallow Pond at Rock Springs - Possible
Suicide
The dead body of missing Fredrick Geiser was found in
a shallow pond at Rock Springs about 8 o'clock this morning.
About two weeks ago Geiser left his home on Liberty street in
Upper Alton, and his disappearance remained a mystery. This
morning Mr. John Still was working at the quarry near the
Vandalia road just south of the motor line trestle at Rock
Spring. Shortly after, he was attracted by the continued barking
of his dog. Thinking it was a rabbit the dog had pursued, he
paid no further attention for some time. At last inquisitive as
to the cause of the unusual noise the dog was making, he made an
investigation and found the body of Geiser face downward in the
pond. The water was only eighteen inches in depth, and his back
was plainly visible. He gave the alarm, and the body was brought
to the shore. Coroner Kinder was notified and held an inquest
over the remains. The verdict of the jury was that he committed
suicide by drowning. Major Moore was foreman of the jury.
GEISSAL, LIZZIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 25, 1886
Died in Alton, Mrs. Lizzie, wife of Henry Geissal, in the 33rd
year of her age.
GELBEN [or GEIBEN], MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 22, 1916
Many residents of the vicinity of West Alton
came over this morning to attend the funeral of their former
neighbor, Michael Gelben, who died Wednesday night at his home
on Belle street. The funeral was held this morning from St.
Mary's church where a requiem mass was said by Rev. Fr. Brune in
the presence of a large congregation. Burial was in St. Joseph's
cemetery, and burial services were conducted at the graveside.
Mr. Gelben was for many years one of the successful farmers of
West Alton, and owned considerable farm property there when he
died. He bought some lots on Belle street a few years ago, built
on them and came to Alton to spend his declining years.
GENNAR, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 21,
1907
The funeral of John Gennar will be held tomorrow
afternoon from his home on Belle street.
GENNAR, JOHN LEWIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 27,
1908
Child Dies From Effects of Improper Food and Care
John Lewis Gennar, aged 7 months, died Sunday morning at 11
o'clock from summer complaint resulting from improper food and
improper care, according to the coroner's jury that inquired
into the case. The child died without medical attention. The
mother claims that she tried to get five doctors and when she
did find one her baby was dead. She had a pitiful story to tell.
She is the widow of John Gennar, who died six months ago and
leaving his family $1,500 insurance and which the wife has
allowed to slip through her fingers until the family are now on
the verge of starvation. It was Mrs. Gennar who appealed to Mrs.
Demuth a few days ago to be relieved of the care of the three
children, but while the necessary details were being attended to
and a place to put the children was being sought, the infant
solved the maze of troubles into which it would have been
plunged by poverty by contracting a fatal illness and the mother
could do nothing for the child when the illness took a fatal
turn. The mother said she could not buy fresh cow's milk for the
baby, and ascribed the illness and death to that fact. It will
be remembered that the mother sold her little home for half what
she paid for it, receiving $400 and parrot, and this money she
lost at the hands of dishonest people.
GENNETTI, C. FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January
19, 1900
Murdered in East St. Louis by Thomas Fynn
Thomas
Fynn yesterday killed C. Frank Gennetti in the Relay Depot at
East St. Louis. Fynn claimed to be the father of three children,
who had been committed to the Catholic Orphanage in this city
[Alton] a number of years ago, by his wife upon her deathbed,
some time after her husband had deserted her. The oldest one of
the three, now ten years old, was given to Mrs. J. Rippe of
Collinsville to raise. A year ago Fynn made his appearance at
Collinsville, and meeting the little girl, took hold of her and
tried to induce her to go with him. Fynn told her he was her
father, the child asserted her father was dead, and would not go
with Fynn. He tried to carry her off, but her screams attracted
the attention of C. Frank Gennetti, a passerby, who interfered.
Gennetti was told by Fynn that the child was his, but the girl
screamed and begged Gennetti to help, that he compelled Fynn to
release her and let her go home. Some time ago Fynn brought a
suit for abduction against Gennetti. The case was tried
yesterday in Edwardsville, and Gennetti was acquitted. Both men
went to East St. Louis, and while in the Relay Depot the tragedy
took place. Fynn claimed that Gennetti was following, and when
Gennetti entered the station Fynn called in a loud voice, "You
had better quit following me or something will happen."
Gennetti, so the passengers say, turned half way round, when
Fynn pulled his pistol and discharged it at Gennetti. The man
fell to the floor unconscious, and died before he recovered
consciousness. Fynn gave himself up to the authorities. Both had
been drinking, and appeared to be friendly during the trial in
Edwardsville. Fynn paid the railroad fare of Gennetti to
Edwardsville, but declined to pay it to East St. Louis, and it
is said this was the cause of the dispute.
GENNEWALD, HERMAN/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 26, 1845
Died, near Alton, on the 20th inst., Herman Gennewald, late of
Lippe, Germany, aged about 40 years; leaving a wife and several
children, now at Manchester in this state, to deplore his loss.
GENT, ANDREW/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 19,
1901
Andrew Gent died at 9:30 o'clock this morning, aged 78
years, from the weight and feebleness of advanced age. He was
born in Wellenboro, Northamptonshire, England. He came to
America in 1850, and to Alton in 1855, where he has since
resided. Five children survive him, viz: George Gent of New York
City; A. E. Gent of Brighton, and Oscar Gent, Mrs. Charlotte
McVey, and Mrs. Emma Wertz of Alton. The funeral will take place
Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from the home of Mrs. Wertz, 1100
Staunton street.
GENT, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 29, 1921
Henry Gent, aged 51, of 1224 West Ninth street, died early this
morning at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where he has been
receiving treatment for some time. Six months ago Gent was taken
ill with arterial hardening, and from the first his condition
was known to be serious. He has resided in Alton for many years,
but his early life was spent near Carlinville. He is survived by
his wife, Mrs. Ida Gent, two daughters, Miss Myrtle Gent and
Mrs. Zeke Logan, and by a son, Arthur Gent. He also leaves six
brothers and one sister, and a grandson, Richard Gent. The
brothers are Ernest, Frank, Oliver, Sidney, Bert and Harvey, all
of this city, and one sister, Mrs. Frank Sweet of Sherman, near
Springfield, Ill. The family is widely known throughout the city
and has the sympathy of friends in their loss. Mr. Gent was a
machinist. Mr. Gent was born at Bridgewater, Summersetshire,
England, March 30, 1870. He came to Carlinville, Ill. at the age
of three months. He was united in marriage to Ida Simmermaket of
Plainview, Ill., May 27, 1892. The Gent family has been a
resident of Alton for 23 years. Mr. Gent was employed at the
Western Cartridge Co. No funeral arrangements have been made.
GENT, MAMIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 22, 1905
Miss Mamie Gent, daughter of the late Charles Gent, died Sunday
morning shortly after midnight at St. Joseph's hospital after an
illness of several weeks from appendicitis. She was moved to the
hospital about one week ago and underwent a surgical operation,
but it was found that the operation had been delayed too long
and her condition was such that nothing could be done to arrest
the fatal termination of the disease. The funeral will be held
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home, 711 Belle
street.
GEORGE, MARGARET/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 20,
1917
Mrs. Margaret George, wife of O. E. George, agent for
the C. & A. at Alton, died Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock
after a long illness, aged 46. Mrs. George had been in bad
health for three years and the past five months had been very
sick. About a week ago, she took a sudden change for the worse,
but it was not fully realized that the end was so near until
Tuesday noon, when Mrs. George collapsed and lasted but five
hours. Mrs. George came here with her family when Mr. George
took the agency of the Chicago & Alton. The family live at 714
Langdon street. She leaves a son, Orrin, and a daughter, Helen.
There will be no funeral services here. The body of Mrs. George
will be taken back to her old home at St. Catherine, Canada,
where the funeral services and burial will be. The funeral party
will depart for St. Catherine this evening.
GERBER, (MOTHER) CECILIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
October 31, 1910
Superioress of the Cathedral Orphanage Dies
Mother Cecelia, superioress of the Cathedral Orphate, died
Sunday night about nine o'clock after a prolonged illness with
consumption. For twenty-seven years from the foundation of the
orphanage, Mother Cecelia was connected with the institution and
had endeared herself to every child in the orphanage on account
of her motherly care and loving attention. Her funeral will be
held next Wednesday morning at ten o'clock, at the Cathedral,
when a solemn high mass will be celebrated immediately after the
parish mass at nine o'clock. Her body will be taken to Rouma,
Ill., where the mother house of the Precious Blood Order is
situated, and buried there. Mother Cecilia's name was Cecilia
Gerber. She was born in Germany. She has a sister who is a
member of the order in Alton to which she belonged, and she has
relatives living in Germany. She was 58 years of age, and has
been a member of the order 35 years.
GERBIG, GEORGE SR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August
31, 1907
George Gerbig Sr., aged 71, died at the Soldiers
Home at Quincy last night from the effects of injuries he
received a number of months ago while visitng in Alton. He was
crossing the street car track at Eliot hose house when one of
the interurban cars struck him. He was able to get out again and
returned to the Soldiers Home, but never regained his physical
strength. He leaves one son in Alton, George Gerbig of 1311 east
Fourth street, and the funeral will be from there probably
Sunday afternoon. Mr. Gerbig leaves two stepchildren, Mrs.
Barbara Herb and John Hessnauer.
GERBIG, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 3,
1918
The death of George Gerbig Sr., occurred Monday morning
at seven fifty o'clock after a long illness with complication of
diseases. He has been ill for several years, and for months has
been bedfast. For several months he was at the home of his son,
George Gerbig Jr., for a change, but one month ago was again
removed to his home at 705 Milnor avenue where death occurred.
His daughter, Mrs. Robert Cresswell, has been residing at
Hattisburg, Miss., to be near her husband, and during the past
few weeks her father has been asking for her. She arrived a week
ago yesterday and was with her father when he died. Gerbig, who
would have been 55 his next birthday, was born and raised in
Alton, where he has many friends. He was a member of the Glass
Bottle Blowers Association and of the Mystic Workers. He worked
at his trade until the machines were installed at the local
plant. He is survived by his wife, one son, George Jr., and two
daughters, Mrs. Robert Cresswell and Miss Edna Gerbig. The
funeral will be held from the family home, 705 Milnor avenue,
Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The services will be
conducted by Rev. S. D. McKenny of the Cherry Street Baptist
Church.
GERDES, FRITZ/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 6, 1901
Fritz Gerdes, a resident of Alton for twenty years, died this
morning at 1:30 o'clock at the family home, 641 East Third
street, after a long and painful illness. He has been a sufferer
with cancer of the throat. He leaves his wife and five children,
Mrs. Joseph Davis, William, Henry and James and Miss Lena
Gerdes. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at two
o'clock from the family home, and services will be conducted by
Rev. Theodore Oberhellman.
GERDES, INFANT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 15,
1910
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gerdes have buried one of their
infant children, a girl. The child died the last of last week at
the home near Bethalto. In seven years, Mrs. Gerdes had given
birth to three pairs of twins, two pair being boys and one pair,
the last, being girls. It was one of the last pair that died. It
is the first break in their family.
GERDES, JOHN/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12, 1878
From Bethalto – A German, Mr. John Gerdes, residence three miles
south of Bethalto, died last Tuesday morning of lung fever.
GERE, LULU (nee BARNARD)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May
5, 1921
Mrs. Lulu E. Gere, a member of the Barnard family and
an old and well known Upper Alton resident, died last night at
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter S. Hallam, on Leverett
avenue. Although Mrs. Gere had been a long and patient sufferer
and had been seriously ill upon several occasions in the past
few months, her death which occurred shortly after 10 o'clock
last night, was rather suddenly. Members of her family were
aware of the fact some days ago that Mrs. Gere could last only a
short time, but she had improved somewhat and on this account
her family were not expecting the end. Mrs. Gere was a member of
the Barnard family, and was a sister of W. D. W. Barnard, the
druggist. Her husband, who was the late Dr. Frank Gere and a
well known practitioner in this locality many years ago, died
about thirty-five years ago. Mrs. Gere leaves three daughters
and one son, Mrs. Walter S. Hallam of Alton; Mrs. William Seat
of Trenton, Tenn.; Mrs. Richard Murfree of Chicago; and Frank
Gere of Alton. During Mrs. Gere's illness, members of her family
were summoned home when it was believed she could not recover.
When she improved the daughters went to their respective home
and were not here when the end came. They are expected to arrive
this evening or tomorrow and arrangements for the funeral will
be made when they arrive. Mrs. Gere passed her sixty-fifth
birthday nine days ago.
GERE, M. E. (WIFE OF CAPT. WILLIAM GERE)/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, January 20, 1908
Relatives in Upper Alton
today received word of the death of Mrs. M. E. Gere, widow of
Capt. William Gere, an old river man and former resident of
Upper Alton. She died Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
West, in Minneapolis, aged 81. Mrs. Gere lived in Upper Alton
many years and her husband made it his headquarters when engaged
in steamboating on the Mississippi. Capt. Gere died in Upper
Alton over a year ago and was buried in City Cemetery. His widow
will be buried in the same place beside the body of her husband.
Mrs. Gere leaves one daughter, Mrs. West, one sister, Mrs.
Rockell of Quincy. The body will be brought to the home of Mrs.
L. Gere on Manning street in Upper Alton, and the funeral will
be Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.
GERFEN, CAROLINE/Source: Troy Weekly Call, February 26, 1897
- Submitted by Marsha Ensminger
Died, At her home in this
city, on Monday, February 22, at 12 o'clock, M., (sic) Mrs.
Caroline Gerfen, wife of C. Henry Gerfen. Sr., aged 56 years.
The funeral took place Thursday, 25th, at 12 o'clock, from the
family residence to the Ev. Lutheran church, thence to the
Lutheran cemetery. Deceased had lived in this city for a number
of years and was a loving wife and mother. She leaves to mourn
her death a kind and devoted husband, four sons, one daughter
and several grand-children, beside a host of relatives and
friends. The bereaved family have the sympathy of their many
friends.
GERFEN, FREDERICK/Source: Troy Weekly Call, October 15, 1898
- Submitted by Marsha Ensminger
Frederick W. Gerfen, an old
and respected citizen of this city, passed away at his home
Wednesday evening at 9 o'clock, after a brief but painful
illness. Deceased had been afflicted with hernia for many years
but otherwise in good health until a few weeks ago when his
disorder became worse aud a surgical operation was the only hope
for saving his life. On Monday evening Dr. Joseph Pogue of
Edwardsville, assisted by Drs. F. G. Zeuk and F. W. Zanders of
this city, performed a successful operation but the patient's
constitution was too much weakened by the malady and he
succumbed to the inevitable. The funeral services will take
place tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon at 1 o'clock, from the family
residence to the Lutheran church, thence to the Lutheran
cemetery for interment. The sorrow-stricken family have the
tender sympathy of their many friends iu this their hour of
sorrow.
GERFEN, HENRY C./Source: Troy Weekly Call, October 19, 1907 -
Submitted by Marsha Ensminger
The funeral of Henry C. Gerfen,
the well known resident of this city, whose demise was noted in
the foregoing issue, took place Monday afternoon at 1:30
o'clock, from the family home in the North End, to St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran church and was very largely attended. Rev.
Martin Daib conducted the burial service and the interment was
in the Lutheran cemetery. Henry C. Gerfen was the eldest son of
Henry Gerfen, Sr., of this city, and was born at Hanover,
Germany, October 3, 1867. He was about 14 years of age when he
came to this country with his parents who located in Troy. He
attended the schools here and afterwards learned the trade of a
blacksmith in the shop of his uncle, the late Frederick Gerfen.
His marriage to Miss Mary Taake, of this township, took place
December 22, 1889. Four children were born to them, viz: Paul,
Lena, Arthur and Raymond, who with the wife and mother survive
him. Mr. Gerfen had been in failing health for several years,
having been a sufferer formerly from asthma, but about nine
months ago his illness developed into consumption and he was
finally compelled to seek a more favorable climate. He
accordingly went to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he secured
light employment as a timekeeper with the Santa Fe railroad. The
change was beneficial for a time but he became exposed to a rain
on one occasion and contracted a cold which caused a relapse and
his decline became rapid. After spending five months in the
southwest he returned to Troy four weeks ago, expressing his
belief at the time that he was beyond recovery. Mr. Gerfen
served two terms as alderman on the city council and was a man
of progressive ideas. He was engaged in the blacksmithing and
implement business here for a number of years and did a large
business, but met with financial reverses. Besides his wife and
four children he leaves a father, three brothers who are Fred of
Troy, William of Breese, and Charles, now at Madison, Wis., also
one sister who is Mrs. Henry Wendler of Collinsville, and a
number of relatives and friends who extend sympathy to the
bereaved in their deep sorrow and affliction.
GERHARDT, MARLA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 21,
1902
Mrs. Maria Gerhardt, wife of William Gerhardt, one of
the best known German residents of Alton, died Sunday morning at
9 o'clock at the family home on Seventh street between Henry and
Liberty streets, after a long illness, aged 70 years and 9
months. Death was due to old age. The death of Mrs. Gerhardt
leaves great sadness on her many friends, and especially those
who had known her in the Evangelical church. She was a quiet,
unobtrusive Christian and a kind neighbor. "If you have done it
unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me"
was her motto in life, as she went about always ready to
minister to her friends and neighbors in time of trouble or
sickness, and many a heavy load did she lighten in her kindly
way. Mrs. Gerhardt was born in Singhofen, Nassau, Germany, July
18, 1831. She leaves beside her husband, four children: William
H., Miss Louise and Emil Gerhardt, of this city, and Mrs. B. L.
Kopp of Quincy. The funeral will be from the home Tuesday
afternoon at 2 o'clock, and services will be conducted by Rev.
Theodore Oberhellmann.
GERHARDT, WILLIAM SR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 10, 1912
William Gerhardt Sr., who would have been
80 years of age on the 22nd day of next month, died at his home
on Seventh street at 8 o'clock Wednesday morning. He died from a
complication of diseases, the result of old age. Mr. Gerhardt
came to this country in 1848, coming direct to the city of
Alton. He was born at Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, February 22,
1832. Mr. Gerhardt being a young man of sixteen years when he
came to this country, accepted a position in the Blair & Atwood
wholesale grocery store, this being one of the big businesses in
Alton at that time. He remained with the grocery firm for many
years, and afterward entered into the grocery business for
himself at the corner of Seventh and Henry streets, remaining in
this stand till advanced age forced him to retire. He retired to
earn a well earned rest, having spent over three score of years
in active business life. Mr. Gerhardt was known for his honesty
and integrity, and was known and highly regarded by many. He
leaves four children, William H., Miss Louise, and Mrs. L. B.
Kopp of Alton; and Emil N. Gerhardt of Denver, Colo. His wife,
Marie, died ten years ago. The announcement of the time of the
funeral will be made as soon as some word is received from the
son in Denver.
GERHARDT, WILLIAM H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April
25, 1912
Suicides by Shooting Self
William H. Gerhardt,
aged 47, former marriage license clerk and for 28 years a clerk
in the Schweppe Clothing store, shot himself at his home, 418
West Fourth street, Alton, the ball entering his right temple.
His death was the result of despondency over his failure to
secure work. He was not in a bad financial condition, as he
owned real estate and had a comfortable bank balance, having
been saving all his life. Friends noticed for several weeks that
he was down-hearted and had been losing flesh. Notwithstanding
that all that could be done to encourage him, he persisted in
his downcast state of mind, and to those who knew him best and
had seen him within the last few weeks, it was no surprise that
he committee suicide. Realizing that he was in a morbid state of
mind, some of his friends had attempted to encourage him that a
position would be opened up for him soon, but only Wednesday he
had reiterated to a friend his belief that there was nothing
left for him, that he could not get work and that nobody wanted
him. The beginning of the troubles was when he resigned his
position at the Schweppe store, effective the last day of last
year. He bought out the cigar store of his father-in-law, J. A.
Neininger, and took possession on New Year's day. He was
disappointed in the business. All his life he had been a
clothing salesman, and he was unsuited for the new kind of
business he had undertaken. About a month ago he disposed of the
store without saying anything to his father-in-law, and the
place of business was closed. Since then Mr. Gerhardt was making
efforts to secure employment. He had seen all the men in the
clothing line in the city and had failed to get work
immediately. He was unable to endure being out of work, and his
mind was much oppressed because he was idle. He was at the
former place of business on Piasa street Wednesday night, and
seemed in a much more cheerful frame of mind. He went home and
could not sleep, he having been troubled with insomnia
considerably since he engaged in the cigar business. This
morning he wanted to remain in bed, and Mrs. Gerhardt rose and
prepared breakfast. When she went to call him she found the door
locked, and after some persuasion she succeeded in getting him
to open the door and go downstairs with her. He ate some
breakfast, then returned to his room, he said, to take a sleep.
Shortly before noon Mrs. Gerhardt, hearing a shot, went to the
bath room, and found him bleeding from a hole in his right
temple, and being unable to rouse him she gave an alarm. Dr.
Fisher was called and found Mr. Gerhardt dying. Mrs. Gerhardt,
on realizing what had happened, became completely unnerved. She
had been laboring under a heavy mental strain herself, seeing
her husband in such a depressed state of mind, and she was
totally unprepared to stand such a shock as she received. It was
stated by members of the family that Mr. Gerhardt need have had
no cause to worry about his finances, as he was amply able to
have made his way, even without work, for some time. He owned
the pretty home he occupied on West Fourth street. All his life
he had been a careful man, and there was no reason why he should
have been so worried over a failure for a brief period to get
work. Beside his home, he owned another house, had a share
coming from his father's estate, and several thousand dollars in
the bank. Mr. Gerhardt had beside his wife, two sisters, Mrs. L.
B. Kopp and Miss Louisa Gerhardt, and one brother, Emil N.
Gerhardt of Denver, Colo.
GERLACH, SUSIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 8, 1906
Miss Susie Gerlach, aged 24, died this morning at 4 o'clock at
the family home, Nineteenth and Market streets, after a long
illness. she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerlach. The
young lady was an invalid for the last three years of her life
and suffered intensely part of the time. She was very ill the
last three months and death to her was a happy relief from her
suffering. She was a bright, happy dispositioned young woman,
and bore her suffering during her long period of invalidism
patiently, and looked forward to the end as a happy conclusion
of her bodily agony. She had lived in Alton all her life.
GERNER, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 14,
1921
Charles Gerner, aged 63, died Monday evening at his home
in the North Side, after an illness that covered a period of two
years. His death was due to a complication of diseases. He had
been bedfast about eight weeks. His death had been expected for
some time by his family. Mr. Gerner was a life long resident in
Madison and Jersey counties. He was born May 21, sixty-three
years ago near Jerseyville and was reared in Jersey County. In
her early days he was a farmer but about 23 years ago he moved
to Alton and established himself in business. He was interested
in the garden at the North Side for a while, and was
subsequently in business downtown. Mr. Gerner is survived by his
wife, two daughters, Mrs. August Schoeffler of Alton, Mrs. J. C.
Meyer of Creve Couer, Mo., and one son, Harry Gerner of Alton.
He leaves also one grandchild, Emily Meyer, two sisters, Mrs.
John Schweickhardt of Dow, Mrs. Anna Neal of Kansas City, Kan.,
and a brother, Henry Gerner of Sioux City, Iowa. The funeral
will be Thursday afternoon at two o'clock from the family home,
1913 Myrtle street.
GERRITS, HERMAN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 19,
1903
German Farmer Commits Suicide
Deputy Coroner C. N.
Streeper received a call to Bethalto Thursday, to hold an
inquest over Herman Gerrits, aged 66, who hung himself in a
hayloft at the home of his brother, Benjamin Gerrits, in
Bethalto. The suicide was unmarried and had lived in Bethalto
and vicinity 30 years. Last Monday he returned from the poor
farm at Edwardsville and was staying with his brother. He left
the house at 8 o'clock this morning and when a messenger was
sent at noon to call him to dinner, Gerrits was found suspended
by the neck from the rafter in the hayloft. A red bandana
handkerchief was bound tightly round his neck, and this was
attached to a strap which was passed over the rafter. Gerrit's
feet were on the floor, and it is said that after adjusting the
handkerchief and strap, he leaned his weight on them and slowly
strangled to death. No box or other elevation was used by him.
Mr. I. H. Streeper went to Bethalto to hold an inquest.
GERWOLF, HERMAN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 19,
1917
Found Dead in Clump of Weeds
Herman Gerwolf was
found lying dead in a clump of weeds in East End Place this
morning and Deputy Coroner W. H. Bauer was notified to take
charge of the body. It was said that Gerwolf, who worked at the
Busse place on Washington avenue, went to call a friend at 4
o'clock in the morning. He roused the friend and that was the
last seen of him alive. He evidently was taken very sick and
dropped dead, without being able to call for help. A coroner's
inquest was held. He was 45 years of age and had lived in Alton
since he came here from Germany in 1878. He leaves two sisters,
Mrs. B. Donovan and Mrs. Bertha Glassmeyer; and one brother,
William Gerwolf, all of Alton. The funeral will be held at 2
o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the Bauer undertaking
establishment.
GERWOLF, PETER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 22,
1905
Peter Gerwolf, aged 72, died at 3:30 o'clock this
morning at his home, Gold and Putnam streets, after an illness
with Bright's disease. He leaves four children. The funeral will
be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home,
Rev. Theodore Oberhellmann officiating.
GETSINGER, CHILD OF HARRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
July 5, 1900
The four months old child of Mr. and Mrs. Harry
Getsinger died yesterday morning at the family home after a
short illness with brain trouble. The funeral was this afternoon
at 4 o'clock, Rev. Theodore Oberhellmann officiating.
GHENT, EDWIN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 10, 1906
Edwin Ghent, aged 14, died this morning at 5 o'clock at his
home, 1500 east Third street, after a long illness from nervous
prostration. The body will be taken to Carlinville tomorrow
morning for burial, and services at the family home will be
conducted by Rev. C. Koehler of the Washington street church.
GIBBONS, M./Source: Alton Telegraph, January 6, 1871
On
July 2, 1870, Mr. M. Gibbons was killed by being run over on the
Edwardsville Railroad.
GIBBONS, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 7,
1909
Mrs. Mary Gibbons, aged 62, died Monday afternoon at 4
o'clock at her home, _03 Alby street, after a long illness. Her
death had been expected for some time, and members of her family
had been in constant attendance upon her. she leaves two
daughters, Misses Lottie and Daisy Gibbons, also two brothers,
Judge D. E. Keefe of East St. Louis, and John J. Keefe, and a
sister, Mrs. F. K. Harris. Mrs. Gibbons had been a resident of
Alton for 48 years and was highly respected. She was the widow
of Michael Gibbons who was killed by a Wabash train at
Edwardsville in 1869. He at the time filled a responsible
position with the Wabash. The funeral will be held Thursday
morning at 9 o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.
GIBBONS, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 24,
1912
Mrs. Mary Gibbons died Saturday morning about 10 o'clock
at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Addis McCarthy, after an
illness of several weeks caused by complications and old age
weaknesses. She was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and left that
country when a young woman, sixty-five years ago. She has lived
in the vicinity of Alton since, and made firm friends of all who
met her by her amiable disposition and admirable traits of
character. She is survived by three children, Mrs. Addis
McCarthy of Alton; James Gibbons of Delhi; and John Gibbons of
Granite City. She leaves also eighteen grandchildren and eleven
great-grandchildren. Her husband died eighteen years ago. The
date of the funeral has not been set, but it will be held from
St. Xavier's Catholic church in Jerseyville. Mrs. Gibbons was 96
years of age the fifteenth day of this month, and during almost
all her life she had been in the best of health and was a type
of the people of robust health who came to this country many
years ago to make a new home for themselves.
GIBBONS, MICHAEL/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 20, 1884
From Edwardsville, Nov. 17 – The Grand Jury met here at 10 a.m.
today, and at once proceeded to find true bills charging William
and John Vanderberg with murder in the first degree for the
killing of Michael Gibbons at Troy, Illinois, on Friday night
last. The prisoners were taken before Judge Snyder, and pleaded
not guilty. No counsel was appointed then, but the court said
this would be done. The defendants did not seem excited or at
all scared. On the contrary, they took things very coolly. It is
reported tonight that they have employed counsel to defend them.
The colored people here express no sympathy for Will Vanderberg,
as they say he is a hard case and reflects discredit upon them.
J. J. McDonough and J. Killen of Chicago, relatives of the
murdered man Gibbons, were in town today and employed Messrs.
Glass, Burroughs, and Warnock of Edwardsville to assist in the
prosecution. The case will be set for the latter part of the
present term of the Circuit Court.
Nov. 19 – Will and
John Vanderberg, the two colored men indicted for killing
Michael Gibbons last Friday night at Troy, were brought into
court and entered pleas of not guilty. Judge William H. Snyder
then set Monday, December 1, for the trial of John Vanderberg.
No day has as yet been fixed for the trial of Will Vanderberg.
GIBERSON, JAMES M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
16, 1914
Former Alton Business Man Found Dead
J. M.
Giberson, aged 66, formerly an Alton business man, father of H.
G. Giberson and J. A. Giberson of Alton, was found dead in bed
Monday morning at his home at Elsah. Death had resulted, it is
believed, from an attack of valvular heart trouble from which he
had suffered for a long time....Mr. Giberson came to Alton a
number of years ago and very successfully engaged in the general
merchandise business in this city. He was at first in
partnership with a Mr. Gatewood, and afterward by himself, then
later was in business with his son, H. G. Giberson. After
discontinuing his store in Alton, Mr. Giberson went back to
Elsah, where he was in business, and there he passed the
remainder of his life....Mr. Giberson was born January 30, 1848
near Dow, Ill. He leaves beside his wife and two sons, four
brothers, John of Carlinville, Robert of Roodhouse, E. C. and J.
B. and Mrs. Lora Palmer of Dow, Ill. The funeral will be held
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of his son, J. A.
Giberson, 301 Prospect street. Rev. Reese will conduct the
funeral services. Burial will be in City Cemetery at Alton.
Prior to bringing the body to Alton, brief services will be
conducted at the home at Elsah.
GIBERSON, MALINDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 2,
1904
The funeral services of Mrs. Malinda Giberson were
conducted last evening by Rev. C. L. Peterson, and the body was
taken to Atwater, Ill., this morning for burial.
GIBSON, ANNA NORA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 24,
1920
Anna Nora, the two year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Gibson of 807 College avenue, died this morning from
pneumonia after a long illness. The funeral will be at 2 o'clock
Sunday afternoon from the family home.
GIBSON, JOHN B./Source: Alton Telegraph, September 30, 1880
Supervisor of Fort Russell Township
Mr. John B. Gibson,
Supervisor of Fort Russell Township, died suddenly Tuesday
afternoon, at his residence from apoplexy. Deceased had been in
feeble health for several months, but no apprehension had been
felt of a speedy termination of his illness. Mr. Gibson was
about 65 years of age, and one of the most respected and
esteemed citizens of this county. He had been Supervisor of Fort
Russell ever since township organization was adopted. He was a
gentleman of exemplary life and sterling character, whose death
will be widely mourned. Mr. Gibson had long been prominent in
the Republican councils of this county, and was an honored and
trusted leader. His last political service was as a delegate
from this county to the State Republican Convention at
Springfield. Owing to his feeble health, he wrote his
resignation as Supervisor a few days ago. He leaves a number of
children, all of adult years.
GIBSON, MABEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 12,
1914
The funeral services over Mrs. Mabel Gibson, wife of
Rev. Edward L. Gibson, were held Sunday evening at 5 o'clock at
the Presbyterian parsonage. Rev. C. M. McManis of the Upper
Alton Presbyterian Church conducted the funeral services. The
funeral party left this morning for Noblesville, Ind., where
interment will take place. Those who accompanied Rev. Gibson and
the parents of Mrs. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, were W. F.
Sherwood and O. S. Stowell, who went as representatives of the
church.
GIBSON, MIMMI/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 25, 1873
Died
in Upper Alton on July 17, Mimmi, only daughter of Rev. Robert
and Agatha F. H. Gibson.
GIBSON, ROBERT (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
October 25, 1909
The funeral of Dr. Robert Gibson, Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Upper Alton Baptist church, was
attended by an enormous number of friends of the deceased that
filled the church. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. L. A.
Abbott, an old friend of Dr. Gibson, who was intimately
acquainted with the work done by Dr. Gibson while he was in
Alton, and could speak with authority. Dr. Abbott gave an
eloquent, but brief eulogy of Dr. Gibson, in which he referred
to his long career in Alton, with his religious and medical work
combined, his love for his fellow man and his self denying
efforts to minister to them physically and spiritually. Dr.
Gibson worked his way through Shurtleff college when a young man
to prepare for his medical studies. When his father-in-law, Dr.
Frederick Humbert, died, Dr. Gibson took charge of his medical
practice and continued at the same office until the property was
sold to make room for the building of the Illini hotel. Dr.
Gibson then retired from active work and devoted himself to an
effort to recuperate the health of his two daughters, in whose
interests he went south to Siloam Springs, Arkansas with his
wife. He regretted exceedingly the necessity that forced him to
give up his long established work in Alton, and after his
departure he was greatly missed. One of his fields of work was
across the river. He alone, for years, kept up religious
services there in a place that was greatly in need of such work,
and among the people of Missouri Point he was loved and admired,
and his skill as a physician was given a high value. The choir
of the Upper Alton Baptist church sang three hymns, "Jesus Lover
of My Soul," "Asleep in Jesus," and "Rock of Ages." The
pallbearers were R. M. Forbes, C. A. Caldwell, H. C. Tilton,
Benjamin Sawyer, Rev. M. W. Twing and J. T. King. Burial was in
Oakwood cemetery, Upper Alton. The members of Dr. Gibson's
family, including Mrs. Gibson, the Misses Gibson, and Mr. and
Mrs. Humbert Gibson, accompanied the body from Siloam Springs,
Ark., and Mr. and Mrs. Humbert Gibson having gone there from
Colorado for the purpose of accompanying the remainder of the
family here. The Gibson home in Upper Alton has been rented out
and the family will stay here only a week. Dr. Robert Gibson was
born in Canada in 1838, and consequently was 71 years old at the
time of his death. He came to the United States when a very
young man and located in the country near Upper Alton, working
first one place and then another. When about 20 years of age he
came to Upper Alton where he entered Shurtleff college. He was
an earnest worker and wanted an education, but as he had no
relatives to pay his way through school, he set to work to earn
an education, and he did so working his way through college and
graduating from the institution eight years later. After getting
through school, Dr. Gibson preached many years and supplied many
churches throughout the country adjoining Upper Alton and in the
country across the river front Alton. He studied medicine later,
and after becoming a physician he attended many persons who were
sick free of charge. He was married in Upper Alton in 1865 to
Miss Agatha Humbert, daughter of the late Dr. Frederick Humbert
of Upper Alton. To this union there were born two daughters and
one son. The family lived many years on Market street in Alton
where Dr. Gibson had his office. He was 26 years the
superintendent of the Sunday school in the Alton Baptist church.
The family moved to Upper Alton fifteen years ago and resided at
the old Humbert homestead, which Dr. Gibson remodeled for his
family.
GIDDINGS, ALMIRA (nee COLLINS)/Source: Alton Telegraph, May
10, 1872
Collinsville Pioneer
We learn from the Quincy
Whig that Mrs. Almira C. Giddings, wife of the late Rev. Salmon
Giddings, who was Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church ever
organized in St. Louis, died in Quincy on Monday morning at the
residence of her son, at the advanced age of 82. Mrs. Giddings
settled in Collinsville in Madison County in 1822, and has,
consequently, been in the State fifty years. She was well known
and much esteemed by a very large circle of acquaintances in
this part of the State, where she continued to reside until
within a few years past, when she removed to the city of Quincy.
She was a woman of unusual vigor of mind, and in the early
history of this State aided very materially in the organization
and the building up of religious and educational institutions,
and her memory will long be cherished and venerated in this
section of Illinois.
Almira Collins Giddings was the
daughter of William B. and Esther Morris Collins, two of the
founders of Collinsville, Illinois. Almira was buried in the
Woodland Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois.
GIFFORD, ABIGAIL/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 7, 1840
Died, on Monday last, the 2d of March, at 11 o'clock a.m., Mrs.
Abigail Gifford, wife of John Gifford of this city [Alton], in
the 26th year of her age, after a painful illness of nearly five
months, which she bore with true Christian resignation. She was
a regular member of the M. E. Church for the last 8 years.
GIFFORD, IDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 17,
1907
Mrs. Harry Gifford, nee Ida Joesting, died Tuesday
morning at the home of her father, Charles L. Joesting, on Ninth
street, after a long illness. Mrs. Gifford had been an invalid
for three or four years. She was taken ill with a malady
resembling rheumatism, which took on a worse form later, and for
several months her condition has been regarded as very serious.
Mrs. Gifford was a life-long resident of Alton, and in her young
womanhood was considered one of the most handsome young women in
Alton. She had many friends in the city, and besides the members
of her family there are many who will sincerely mourn her death.
Deceased was 38 years old and is survived by her husband and two
children. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Joesting, survive,
as do also three brothers, Charles, George and Louis Joesting,
and two sisters, Mrs. Hugh Black and Mrs. Henry Unterbrink.
Funeral arrangements have not been made.
GIFFORD, NORMAN BRABAZON/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 24,
1839
Died on Wednesday last, Norman Brabazon, infant son of
John and Abigail Gifford of this city, aged one year.
GILBERT, CARRIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 7,
1922
Mrs. Carrie Gilbert, wife of J. W. Gilbert, died this
morning at 5:30 o'clock at the family home, after an illness of
a few hours with heart trouble, 512 Alby street. She was past 81
years of age and her death completed a marital partnership with
her husband of 63 years. Mrs. Gilbert was not in bad health. She
had been up and around the house regularly, and there was no
indication of a sudden collapse. She had returned last night as
usual and about 2 o'clock she roused her aged husband with a
request that he get her a drink. Later he was roused again by
her rising, and she complained of being unable to breathe lying
down. A physician was summoned and he saw at once that the
venerable woman was near her end, and advised that any relatives
she had be called. Her death followed soon thereafter. Mrs.
Gilbert was a devoted member of the Methodist church of many
years standing. She came to Alton many years ago and though she
moved away, she came back again. She was respected highly by all
who knew her. She was prominent in the work of the First
Methodist church and a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that
church. Mrs. Gilbert, aside from being a good homemaker, had a
wide reputation because of her skill as a cook. Years ago she
used to delight the palates of Alton people with her fine
homemade pies for which there was a great demand. She leaves
beside her aged husband, two sons, Jesse of Newark, Ohio; and
Bruse, of St. Louis. She leaves also nine grandchildren. The
funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
First Methodist church, and services will be conducted by Rev.
Dr. Charles Shumard. The body of Mrs. Gilbert will be at the
church to be viewed by friends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Burial will be in Alton City cemetery.
GILBERT, HAROLD AND KATE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
June 17, 1919
Lightning Kills Man and Wife - No Rain Fell
Harold Gilbert, 20, and his wife, Kate Gilbert, 19, were killed
almost instantly at their home on Green street last evening by
lightning. Ten feet from them their three year old son, Vincent,
was playing and the child was not injured. Not a drop of rain
fell in the immediate vicinity. The storm passed east of the
city. Mr. Gilbert was preparing to go to work at the Sparks
Milling Company, where he was employed as roller tender on the
night shift. He was chopping wood in his yard and on a box close
to him sat his young wife, while the little three year old son,
Vincent, played around their feet. Neighbors who rushed to the
scene shortly after the accident found the couple prostrate on
the ground. Mrs. Eva Simms testified that when she turned over
the body of Harold Gilbert he breathed once and died. Over the
body of the dead mother the three year old son was found. He was
trying to make his mother "wake up and talk" to him. The bodies
were removed to the Bauer Undertaking Parlors where the inquest
was held on Tuesday morning. A verdict of accidental death was
returned. Both the mother and the sister of Mrs. Gilbert were
anxious to care for Vincent. This morning it was decided that he
should make his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Martin Grief, of
New Douglas, since the sister of the deceased woman had three
girls to care for. The couple moved to Alton but six months ago,
and since that time they have been making their home on Green
street. Mrs. Martin Grief will take the body of Mrs. Gilbert
back to New Douglas with her. The funeral will be held from the
Catholic Church at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. The funeral
arrangements for Mrs. Gilbert have not been completed.
GILBERT, ISAAC/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 17,
1919
Isaac Gilbert went to call Sunday afternoon at the home
of James Ballinger in Foster township. He had stayed at the home
of James Ballinger, Jr., fifteen years, and was well known to
the family of the parents of James Ballinger. To avoid
overstaying himself, he had borrowed the watch of James
Ballinger before starting, and he had also borrowed his
overcoat. Sitting down in the Ballinger home, he was greeted by
Mrs. Matilda Ballinger, who asked him how he felt and he told
her that he felt very well. He had hardly uttered the words
before he swayed to one side and collapsed. He was dead almost
immediately. Deputy Coroner Bauer held an inquest.
GILBERT, S. B. (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 7, 1881
Dr. S. B. Gilbert, a native of Sandy Hook, Morgan County,
Kentucky, died at his residence at North Alton, Sunday, July 3,
at the age of 45 years. His funeral took place Monday from his
late residence. The remains were buried at Godfrey. Deceased
left a wife and a number of children to mourn his death. He was
a Major in a cavalry regiment in the Confederate service during
the war.
GILES, CATHERINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 5,
1901
Catherine Giles, a negro woman aged 55, died at St.
Joseph's hospital last evening after a three week's illness. She
lived in a wretched hovel on the sandbar, and three weeks ago
was stricken by paralysis. She fell into a fire in her home and
was severely burned. Since she was paralyzed she was an inmate
of the hospital. She leaves no relatives and no friends. The
funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon.
GILES, EMIL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 28, 1920
Soldier Dies Under Weight of Fallen Steel
Emil Giles, son of
Mrs. Rose Giles of 207 Volbracht street, was fatally injured
just before noon today at the plant of the Laclede Steel Co.,
where he was employed by the Decatur Bridge Co. The slipping of
a cable permitted a heavy weight of steel that was being hoisted
into place to fall back on the young man and crushed him so that
he died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Giles had
taken a job with the Decatur Bridge Co. just a few days before.
The company had the contract for installing a new way for a
traveling crane to replace one which collapsed long ago, and the
replacing of which was delayed. The young man happened to be in
the way when a heavy upright fell back to the ground with the
slipping of the cable, and he was caught and pinched to the
floor. Giles served during the war, in the 88th division in
France. He went safely through most dangerous experiences in the
battle line, and came home in perfect condition, only to be
killed in an accident in peaceful employment. He was 25 years of
age. Beside his mother he leaves one brother, Henry Giles, and
one sister, Mrs. Edith Hamer. The body was taken in charge by
Deputy Coroner Bauer, who will hold an inquest. The time of the
funeral has not been fixed.
GILES, ROSE E. STANTON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
August 17, 1922
Mrs. Rose E. Stanton Giles, widow of William
Giles, a native resident of Alton, died this morning after a
four months illness with a cancer of the stomach. She has been
in a very serious condition for many weeks and her death has
been expected for some time. Mrs. Giles was born on the Coal
Branch and spent her entire life in the North Side. She was in
her 61st year, having been born April 5, 1861. She is survived
by two children, Henry Giles, and Mrs. Walter Hamer, of Wichita,
Kansas. Mrs. Hamer was called here nine weeks ago and has been
in constant attendance upon her mother. Mrs. Giles died at the
home of her son on West Delmar avenue. She also leaves her 94
year old father, Samuel Stanton, one brother, Bayliss Stanton of
Peoria, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Eccles of Alton and Mrs.
George L. Glassbrenner of Florida. Also four grandchildren. Mr.
Giles died 22 years ago. Mrs. Giles was a home loving woman and
a kind neighbor, and during her long illness her many friends
were greatly interested in her condition. She was a faithful
member of the Elm Street Presbyterian church, but took no part
in any organization work outside of the church. Funeral
arrangements are incomplete, awaiting word from relatives
residing at a distance.
GILL, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 6,
1922
The plant of the Alton Brick Co. was closed at noon
today on account of the funeral of Charles Gill, the plant
engineer, who had worked there since he was eleven years old. He
had been such a faithful employee of the plant, that the men
employed there desired to have opportunity to attend his
funeral. In connection with the death of Gill, it was said by
Eben Rodgers, that the Alton Brick Co. carried life insurance on
its men and that Gill's policy draws the maximum allowed under
the policy, which will give his family in the neighborhood of
$2,000. There was a large crowd at the funeral services this
afternoon and many tributes of respect were paid to him. The
funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. W. Brewer from the
Model A. M. E. church. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery.
GILL, EDWARD/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 8, 1867
We
regret to learn that Mr. Edward Gill, whose father lives near
Upper Alton, was killed on Thursday last under the following
circumstances: While on a visit to a brother residing in Jersey
County, the two, on Thursday, went out into the woods on a
hunting expedition, and Mr. Edward Gill was carrying his gun at
“full cock.” While his weapon was in this position, he stooped
down to pick up some hickory nuts lying under a tree, and the
gun was by some means discharged, the whole load taking effect
in the small of his back, causing almost instant death. He was
buried on Saturday. Mr. Gill was unmarried, and was 28 years
old. He was an estimable young man, and his untimely death has
plunged his relatives into the deepest affliction. He was at the
time of his death a member of the Masonic Lodge in Upper Alton.
GILL, ELIA A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 26, 1910
Miss Elia A. Gill, aged 23 years, daughter of James Gill, died
at the residence of her sister, Ida A. Novell, of 119 East Fifth
street, Friday 12:23 p.m. The funeral will be held from the
NOrth Side church, Monday at 10 a.m. Burial at Rocky Fork
cemetery.
GILL, ELIZABETH M./Source: Alton Telegraph, November 14, 1851
Died in Alton on the 7th instant, Mrs. Elizabeth M. consort of
Mr. Jus. R. Gill; aged 23.
GILL, HATTIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 25,
1901
Miss Hattie Gill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gill,
died Monday morning at the family home on East Fourteenth street
after an illness with pneumonia. She was 16 years of age and was
a member of the Baptist church and a pupil at the Alton High
school. She was a bright young girl and was well liked in a
large circle of friends. The funeral will take place tomorrow at
2:30 p.m. from the family residence, 417 east Fourteenth street.
GILL, LOUISE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 7, 1904
Louise Gill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Gill, who died
yesterday, was 16 years of age. The funeral will be at 10
o'clock Saturday morning from the A. M. E. church.
GILL, MATTIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 10, 1911
Mrs. Mattie Gill, aged 49, died Saturday afternoon at her home,
100 east Third street, after a long illness. She had lived in
Alton many years and was well known. Mrs. Gill leaves seven sons
and two daughters, Mrs. William Bissinger and Mrs. Sam Seibold;
and Messrs. Charles, Henry, William, Paul, Roy and Arthur
Stierley. The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from
the home, and burial was in City Cemetery. The funeral services
were conducted by Rev. S. D. McKenney of the Cherry Street
Baptist church.
GILL, MICHAEL J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 1,
1918
Former Member of Congress - Erected the Gill Building
Michael J. Gill, a former well known Alton glassblower, died
today in a hospital in St. Louis from pneumonia following an
attack of influenza. He represented this district as a Democrat
in 1892, and afterwards moved to St. Louis where he was elected
to Congress and served one term. For the last eight years he has
been a member of the National Board of Conciliation and worked
in various parts of the country settling strikes. He is survived
by his wife who is a member of the Strubel family of this city,
and three children, John, Joseph, and Catherine. He erected the
present home of the Moose at Broadway and Oak streets in 1893,
and it has always been known as the "Gill Building."
GILL, OLLIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 27,
1907
Ollie Gill, aged 6 years, 4 months, daughter of James
Gill of North Alton, died this morning at 8 o'clock at the
family home in North Alton. A short time ago the mother died,
and was buried at Rocky Fork cemetery. This is the sixth death
in the family in three years. The funeral will be from the North
Alton A. M. E. church, and burial will be at Rocky Fork, Friday
morning at 9 o'clock. Mr. Gill is a hard working, honest man,
who has the fullest sympathies of his neighbors, white and
colored, in his many afflictions. He truly is a "man of
sorrows," but he never loses faith or hope and keeps working
away for better things, confident apparently that the "silver
lining" of the clouds of anguish enveloping him will show itself
to him sometime.
GILL, SYLVESTER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 20,
1913
Man Run Down and Killed by Speeding Train
The jury
impaneled by Coroner J. M. Sims held to the grand jury Conductor
C. H. Sams and F. Smith, for the death of Sylvester Gill, who
was run down and killed by a speeder on the C. & A. track Monday
night. The men were not present when the verdict was rendered,
but it is said by a representative of the railroad they would be
surrendered this morning, and that there would be a good bond in
readiness for their appearance at any time they are wanted. It
developed at the inquest that Sams, the conductor, was pilting
the speeder and that Smith was operating it. The evidence
introduced against the men indicated that the speeder was
traveling 35 miles an hour when it hit Gill. The men who
testified against the railroad said that the accident happened
at or near the crossing at the glass works office. The funeral
of Gill was held this morning from the Jacoby undertaking
establishment, Rev. J. M. Rohde officiating. Burial was in City
Cemetery.
GILL, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 1, 1886
From
Upper Alton - The funeral of Mr. William Gill was held Sunday
morning in the Baptist Church. The pallbearers were neighbors,
Messrs. A. F. Rodgers, Edward Rodgers, W. L. Harris, George
Cartwright, Frank Moore, and William R. Wright. [Note: These
neighbors lived in the neighborhood of the Alton State
Hospital.]
GILLER, ISABELLE (nee McFETRIDGE)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, November 16, 1912
Mrs. Isabelle Giller, nee
McFetridge, died Friday evening at 6:15 o'clock after a long
illness, at the family home, 1115 Hampton street. She was a
lifelong resident of Alton, and had spent almost all her life in
the one home. She was known as a kind and sympathetic woman, and
was ever ready to lend a helping hand. She leaves three
brothers, James, George and David McFetridge; and one sister,
Mrs. Walter Moore. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at
2:30 o'clock from the family home.
GILLER, LIZZIE (nee JACOBY)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph
April 2, 1917
Mrs. Lizzie Giller, widow of J. C. Giller, died
at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. J. C. Grabbe, 2433
Sanford Avenue, Sunday morning at 5 o'clock, from hardening of
the arteries. Mrs. Giller's husband died six years ago, and her
youngest son, Adolph Giller, died last December. Mrs. Giller was
born in Germany, November 17, 1846, and was aged 71 years, 4
months, 12 days. Mrs. Giller leaves two daughters and one son,
Mrs. Paul Scheffel and Henry Giller of Brighton, and Mrs. John
Grabbe of Alton. She leaves also twelve grandchildren and four
brothers and two sisters: C. J. Jacoby and Mrs. H. A. Hoffman of
Alton; William Jacoby of Bunker Hill; Mrs. Henry Hanold of
Brighton; Louis Jacoby of Jerseyville; Rev. H. C. Jacoby of San
Jose, Cal. Mrs. Giller was a member of the Evangelical church at
Brighton and the funeral will be from that church Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. Schnatthorst officiating. The
remains will be interred in the family lot at Brighton cemetery.
The grandsons will serve as pallbearers and the brothers will
lower the casket into the grave.
GILLES, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday,
February 10, 1908
John Gilles, another aged resident of Alton
many years ago, died at his home in Woodburn, Sunday morning, in
the 88th year. Mr. Gilles leaves a grand nephew, Walter Roper,
and a grand niece, Miss A. M. Roper, in Alton. He leaves also
four children, Mrs. May Maxwell, Mrs. Annie Greer, Alex and
Morris Gilles. Mr. Gilles was a native of Dalry, Ayrshire,
Scotland, and came to American and to Alton when a very young
man. He enlisted here in the 97th regiment made up in Alton and
vicinity, and he served throughout the greater part of the Civil
War with great credit. He was known for his valor and on more
than one occasion he distinguished himself. He suffered physical
disability through his army service from which he never
recovered, and all through the remainder of his life he was a
sufferer from sick headaches which came from his army
experience. He was engaged in farming most of his life. He was
one of the oldest subscribers of the Alton Telegraph, and in his
death one of the most faithful of its supporters has passed
away. Mr. Gilles was a member of a large family noted for
longevity. All of his brothers and sisters and his father and
mother lived to be over eighty years of age.
GILLESPIE, CYRUS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
19, 1903
Cyrus Gillespie, a member of a prominent
Edwardsville family, was drowned in a well at his home in
Edwardsville this morning. He was a victim of epilepsy, and it
is supposed that having arisen early in the morning to get a
drink, he fell in the well on being attacked by a fit. He was a
son of the late Judge Joseph Gillespie, and a brother of Mrs. W.
R. Prickett.
GILLESPIE, CHARLES ROBINSON/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph,
July 6, 1853
Died at Edwardsville on June 23, Charles
Robinson, son of Matthew and Martha Gillespie, aged three years,
four months, and twenty-five days.
GILLESPIE,
DAVID (JUDGE)/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 4, 1881
A
dispatch was received Tuesday from Edwardsville, conveying the
sad intelligence of the death of Judge David Gillespie, and
stating that his funeral would take place Wednesday, under
Masonic auspices. Judge Gillespie died Monday evening, August 1,
1881, of apoplexy or heart disease. He was a native of
Edwardsville, having been born there in 1828, consequently was
53 years of age. He was a nephew of Judges Matthew and Joseph
Gillespie, was well and favorably known through all this section
of country, and his sudden death will be deeply regretted. Judge
Gillespie was a member of the bar, and one of the most honorable
and highly esteemed citizens. He left a widow and three children
to mourn their loss.
NOTES:
Judge David Gillespie was
born September 30, 1828, in Edwardsville, to Matthew and Nancy
Gordon Gillespie. As a young man, he attended Shurtleff College
in Upper Alton, and then studied law with his uncle, Joseph
Gillespie. He was appointed Master in Chancery in 1861, and
elected to office of County Judge in 1865. He was considered a
patriot, and gave his entire influence and best efforts to the
suppression of the Rebellion and the restoration of the laws and
constitution in all parts of the country. In 1872 he was the
owner of a coal mine in Edwardsville, and sold high quality coal
to Alton at the rate of nine cents per bushel.
On
October 8, 1855, he married Minna A. Barnsback, daughter of
Julius L. Barnsback, and they had three children – Mattie C.
Gillespie (?-1866); Edwin D. Gillespie (1862-1929); and May E.
Gillespie Ring (1871-1942).
GILLESPIE, EDWARD HENRY/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June
13 & 15, 1853
We regret to learn that Scarlet Fever has been
prevailing for some time past in Edwardsville in this county,
and carried off several children, the hope and pride of their
parents. Among others, Matthew Gillespie, Esq., has lost two
sons of the ages of one and five years respectively. We trust
the disease will soon disappear, and that our respectable county
town will again be blessed with good health at an early day. On
June 8, in Edwardsville, Edward Henry, second son of Matthew and
Martha Gillespie, died. He was 6 years and 4 months of age.
GILLESPIE,
JOSEPH (JUDGE)/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 8, 1885
Judge; Senator; Friend of Abraham Lincoln
Hon. Joseph
Gillespie, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of
Illinois, died at his residence in Edwardsville, Wednesday
morning, of typhoid fever, and a brief illness. Judge Gillespie
was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and was the son of David and
Sarah Gillespie, who emigrated to this country in 1807. Joseph
was born in New York City, August 22, 1809, and was consequently
in his 76th year at the time of his death. His parents removed
to Madison County in 1819. In 1831, Joseph commenced the study
of law with the late Hon. Cyrus Edwards. During the Black Hawk
War, he volunteered and participated in the campaigns of 1831-2.
After the close of the war, he was elected Probate Judge of
Madison County. In 1840, he was elected to the Legislature on
the Whig ticket. In 1847 he was elected to the State Senate, and
remained a member thereof for ten years. In 1861, he was elected
Judge of the 24th Judicial Circuit, a position he filled for
twelve years with great ability.
He was a gentleman of
fine attainments, an able lawyer, and a profound jurist.
Politically, he was first a Whig, and then a Republican. He was
the friend and associate in the Legislature and at the bar of
such men as Abraham Lincoln, James Shields, Governor Bissell,
and Lyman Trumbull.
In 1845, Judge Gillespie married Miss
Mary Elizabeth Smith of Greenville, Illinois. Eight children
were born to them, of whom five are living. His wife survives
him. The funeral took place this afternoon from the family
residence in Edwardsville.
NOTES:
Judge Gillespie was
buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Edwardsville. He and his wife
had the following children: Sara M. Gillespie (1846-1875); Cyrus
E. Gillespie (1848-1849); Cyrus Edwards Gillespie (1850-1903);
Mary Josephine Gillespie Prickett (1852-1925); Alice Bell
Gillespie (1855-1857); Charles Smith Gillespie (1857-1935);
Frank Keyes Gillespie (1859-1923); and Louise Maria Gillespie
(1860-1887).
GILLESPIE, MARIE "MOTHER MARIE THERESA"/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 27,1907
Mother Marie Theresa died Wednesday
morning at the Ursuline Academy after an illness from heart
troubles. She was born in Brownsville, Pa., January 24, 1832,
and has been a member of the Ursuline Order since her
twenty-fifth year. She was formerly Mother Superior of the
Decatur house of the order and came to Alton about 25 years ago.
She was Mother Superior here for several years and the affairs
of the institution and of the order generally flourished under
her direction and guidance. She was a highly educated, deeply
cultured woman and was talented in many ways. Her name was Miss
Marie Gillespie before she took the vows of an Ursuline nun, and
she was a first cousin of the famous statesman, the late James
G. Blaine. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30
o'clock from the chapel of the Ursuline Academy and burial will
be in Greenwood cemetery.
GILLESPIE, MARTHA A./Source: Alton Telegraph, June 11, 1885
Widow of Matthew Gillespie
From Edwardsville – Mrs. Martha A.
Gillespie, widow of the late Matthew Gillespie, died at the
residence of her son-in-law, W. R. Brink, last Sunday afternoon,
and was buried this morning. She was seventy years of age.
GILLESPIE, MARY ANN PLATT (nee BRUDON)/Source: Alton
Telegraph, October 7, 1886
Wife of Henry Platt; Wife of
Charles M. Gillespie
Captain R. T. Largent received a
dispatch from Kansas City, stating that his sister-in-law, Mrs.
Mary Gillespie, had been severely burned by the explosion of a
gasoline stove while preparing breakfast. He received a second
dispatch saying that she died Sunday afternoon from her
injuries. Deceased was 57 years of age. She was the daughter of
the late William H. Brudon of Alton, and was a native of
Bristol, Pennsylvania. She was twice married, first to Mr. Henry
Platt, and subsequently to Mr. Charles M. Gillespie. She leaves
one son by her first marriage, Mr. William H. Platt; and three
daughters and one son by her second, viz: Mrs. Nettie Tuttle of
Fort Scott, Kansas City; Miss Hattie Gillespie; and Mr. Edward
Gillespie.
The remains of Mrs. Gillespie were brought to
Alton from Kansas City on an early train. The funeral took place
this afternoon from the M. E. Church. There was quite a large
attendance, including the Kansas City relatives of the deceased.
Burial was in the Alton City Cemetery.
GILLESPIE, MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
26, 1920
Michael Gillespie, aged 47, died of influenza at the
home, 5201/2 Ridge street, this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. He
was single, and leaves two brothers and a sister. Burial will be
in Greenwood cemetery Friday afternoon.
GILLESPIE, PATRICK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November
16, 1907
Patrick Gillespie, aged 25, died yesterday at St.
Joseph's hospital from pneumonia. He is survived by two brothers
and other relatives who live in Bunker Hill, and his body was
shipped to that city this morning for burial.
GILLESPIE, SARAH/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 20, 1875
Edwardsville, May 18, 1875 - Since our last letter to you, Miss
Sarah, eldest daughter of Hon. Joseph Gillespie of this city,
one of the most estimable young ladies that ever lived in this
or any other city, has departed this life. Her illness was of
several months' duration, and presented alarming symptoms from
the first, yet some three weeks ago the indications, for a short
time, were such as to give some hope for her ultimate recovery;
but it was a vain hope. She died on Thursday, the 13th inst. Her
funeral, which took place on Saturday from the residence of her
afflicted parents, was largely attended. Her remains were
deposited in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
GILLESPIE, WILLIAM CLAY/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June
13 & 15, 1853
We regret to learn that Scarlet Fever has been
prevailing for some time past in Edwardsville in this county,
and carried off several children, the hope and pride of their
parents. Among others, Matthew Gillespie, Esq., has lost two
sons of the ages of one and five years respectively. We trust
the disease will soon disappear, and that our respectable county
town will again be blessed with good health at an early day.
William Clay, youngest son of Matthew and Martha Gillespie, aged
1 year, 4 months, and 23 days, died May 22.
GILLESPIE, WILLIAM 'BILL' F./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 5, 1918
Soldier Killed in France
Mr. and Mrs.
William Gillespie received word indirectly this morning that
their only child, William F. Gillespie, had been killed in
France, October 3. The letter came to Robert Rundell of Alton
from his brother who gave the story of the "going west" of
"Bill" Gillespie. The father was serving as an election officer
in his polling place when the tidings were brought to him, and
he immediately gave up that work and took up an inquiry. He had
received no notice from the war department, nor had his son's
name appeared in a casualty list, but young Rundell's letter
gave such important information the parents were not really in
doubt as to its accuracy. Rundell, writing to his brother, said
that Gillespie was killed by his side in action, in the great
fighting which has been participated in by the 138th Regiment,
and which has won for that regiment undying fame. Gillespie was
a member of Co. B, which was partially recruited at Alton during
the period when the Alton bridge was being guarded by that
company under Capt. Larrimore. Gillespie was the only child of
his parents, and his death is a sad shock to them. They are
proud of their boy dying nobly for his flag, but the fact that
he was all they had makes their sorrow that much keener. To add
to the uncertainty regarding the report of the death of Will
Gillespie is a letter which George Demuth of 318 Monument street
has received from his brother, Harry Demuth, who was also in the
Argonne drive as a member of the 105 Ammunition Co. C. Demuth's
letter was dated October 7, which was four days after the date
that young Gillespie is supposed to have been killed. Demuth
states that he had seen Gillespie and that they had talked
together a long time. He also stated that Gillespie was as "fat
as a pig." Mrs. Barbara Kaeser today received a letter from her
son, Philip E. Kaeser, dated October 4. In the letter Kaeser
speaks of seeing about 25 Alton boys October 2. Among them was
William Gillespie. He said that the boys had been in the big
drive, that they were then relieved and were on their way down
out of the mountains to southern France.
GILLET, JOHN HENRY/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 24, 1838
Died, at the Alton House in the city [Alton], on the 19th inst.,
John Henry, only child of John H. and Elizabeth N. Gillet; aged
21 months and 12 days.
GILLETT, LYMAN/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 6, 1874
Died at Troy on Tuesday morning, July 28, 1874, Lyman Gillett;
aged 82 years.
GILLHAM, DANIEL BROWN (SENATOR)/Source: Alton Telegraph,
March 19, 1890
Ex-Senator Killed by Burglar
Ex-Senator
Gillham was shot by a burglar in his residence in Upper Alton.
The residence of Mr. Gillham is situation about two blocks east
of the walls of Shurtleff College, and at the edge of the town
of Upper Alton. About one o'clock yesterday morning the
gentleman was awakened, and as he raised himself he saw a man in
the act of leaving his bedroom. He quickly jumped from his bed
and ran towards the intruder, at the same time commanding him to
halt. Mr. Gillham had almost reached the man at the door leading
into the hall, when the burglar stepped across the hall and
under the stairway that leads from the front door to the rooms
on the upper floor. As he gained this point of vantage, he
called twice to Mr. Gillham to "stand back," to which no
attention was paid, but instead he started toward the burglar,
who drew a 38-caliber revolver and fired. But the bullet went
wide of its mark and passed through a door at the end of the
hallway and buried itself in the earth outside. Nothing daunted,
Mr. Gillham rushed at his assailant who fired point blank at
him, the bullet entering the left breast just below the nipple,
and almost on a line with the apex of the heart. The wounded man
staggered into his bedroom and sank on a couch. The other
occupants of the house, who were in the upper story, were
aroused by this time and came to the assistance of the injured
man. Meanwhile, the burglar had made good his escape, taking
with him the pair of pants he had removed from the bedpost, and
which contained some valuable papers and memoranda, together
with $25 in money.
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March
20, 1890
From the Springfield Journal - The news of the
shooting of Hon. D. B. Gillham at his home in Upper Alton by a
robber will be received with sincere regret by his friends
throughout the State. In his service as Senator and as a member
and President of the State Board of Agriculture, Mr. Gillham
enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who became acquainted
with him, and there will be general sorrow at the fate that has
befallen him.
From the Springfield News - The probable
death of ex-Senator D. B. Gillham of Upper Alton, as the result
of a murderous assault by a burglar, reported in the dispatches
this morning, is one of those affairs which serve to arouse
public sentiment to the enormity of that species of crime. The
burglar is not only an enemy to all property rights, but to
human life, who takes the chances of murder in the prosecution
of his nefarious trade, and deserves to be treated as a murderer
in intent. Mr. Gillham has been widely known from his long and
prominent connection with the State Agricultural Society, and
also as a member of the General Assembly as an influential and
public spirited citizen, and his death as the result of this
fiendish crime would be regarded as a great public calamity. It
is to be hoped that the perpetrator of the crime may be captured
and ample justice meted out to him.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 22, 1890
Hon. D. B. Gilham is slowly but
steadily improving. Everyday's gain strengthens his chances for
recovery. He has had the best of care and attention from the
very first, and no unfavorable symptoms have developed. The
family have received many letters and telegrams from all over
the entire State, who demand daily reports of the condition of
the sufferer.
(Senator Daniel Brown Gillham dies, April
6, 1890)
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, April 9, 1890
Upper Alton was in mourning today, for the town had lost a
citizen than whom none were more beloved nor more highly
honored. The stores were closed and the people of our upper
suburb went to swell the throng that had gathered from far and
near to commune in sorrow over the loss of a life so grand, and
to stand by the graveside when the body of Hon. Daniel B.
Gillham was given back to earth. At two o'clock, the faculty and
students of Shurtleff College assembled in the College Chapel
and marched in a body to the Baptist church, where the funeral
services were held. That edifice was crowded to its utmost
capacity. A choir composed of Mrs. John Leverett, Misses Lily
Graham, Gertrude Pease and Maud Campbell, and Messrs. Norman
Marsh, William Watson, William Fuller and Harry Greaves chanted
appropriate anthems, and the song service was both beautiful and
impressive. After the introductory prayer and remarks, made by
Rev. William Green, the funeral oration was pronounced by Rev.
A. A. Kendrick D. D., President of Shurtleff College. Rev. Dr.
Kendrick's text, "After the power of an endless life," Hebrews
7th chapter and 16th verse, was peculiarly appropriate and was
handled in a most masterful and learned manner. The oration was
largely eulogistic of the life of the deceased, an honored life
that was marked by the highest integrity, tireless energy, and
Christian duty well performed. The prayer at the grave was made
by Rev. Dr. Justus Bulkley. At a meeting of the State Board of
Agriculture, held this morning, the following members were
appointed pallbearers and acted as such: Prest. George J.
Haskell of Rockford; J. W. Washburn of Marian; J. W. Bunn of
Springfield; John Virgin of Fairbury; David Gore of Carlinville;
Edward C. Lewis of Ottawa; D. W. Vittum Jr. of Canton; and
LaFayette Funk of Springfield. It was eminently fitting that the
great commonwealth of Illinois should be officially represented
today at the funeral of the late Hon. Daniel B. Gillham, a
citizen who had served his State for many years with much honor
to himself and to her. And Illinois was thus represented by a
large delegation of her most honored sons, who assembled here
today to testify by their presence to the personal and to the
general grief that has been caused by the death of their friend
and comrade. The following were among the prominent Illinoisians
who came from a distance to attend the funeral: His Excellency,
Governor Joseph W. Fifer of Springfield. Officers, members and
attaches of the State Board of Agriculture as follows: President
George J. Haskell of Rockford; Secretary W. C. Garrard;
Treasurer J. W. Burn of Springfield; Capt. E. B. David of Aledo;
LaFayette Funk of Springfield; John Virgin of Fairbury; D. W.
Vittum Jr. of Canton; Joseph S. Keavington of Albion; James W.
Washburn of Marian; J. Irvin Pearce of Chicago; Edward C. Lewis
of Ottawa; William Stewart of Chicago; Col. W. H. Fulkerson of
Jerseyville; David Goro of Carlinville; E. E. Chester of
Champaign; and D. C. Hoyt of Springfield. Others who came down
from the Capital city were: L. D. Fisher, Charles P. Johnson,
Secretary of the State Livestock Commission, Phil M. Springer of
the State Register, E. E. McCoy, J. H. Paddock of the Railroad
and Warehouse Commission, E. A. Snively, Clerk of the Supreme
Court, and G. W. Jones of the Appellate Court, Edwin Watts, John
McCreery, Judge W. J. Allen, Hon. D. W. Smith, Hon. B. F.
Caldwell and Dr. R. Starkweather. From other points came E. C.
Pace of Ashley; Isaack Hitt of Chicago, Swamp Land Commissioner;
Hon. Henry Seiter of Lebanon; Hon. J. B. Messick of East St.
Louis; Hon. George W. Brown of Vandalia; Charles C. Pond of
Sycamore; Judge W. H. Krome, Judge B. R. Burroughs, E.
Boeschenstein, Judge M. G. Dale, and George Leverett of
Edwardsville; L. D. Turner and H. G. Wehr of Belleville. The
following persons, relatives of the family, were present from
abroad to attend the funeral: Warren Harrison, Marble Rock,
Iowa; S. A. Harrison, Geneseo, Illinois; M. P. Stookey and wife,
Belleville; Mrs. M. W. Weir and Miss Sophia Weir, Belleville;
Rev. S. H. Bowyer and wife, Rochester, N. Y.; Rev. Thomas Young
and wife, Roodhouse; Thomas Kinder and wife, Venice; H. Squires,
Venice; R. C. Gillham, Wanda; William Head and wife, Alton
Junction; Herman Cole and wife, Lincoln, Nebraska. [Burial was
at Oakwood Cemetery in Upper Alton]
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 10, 1890 Death of Hon. Daniel B. Gillham
Three weeks ago, Tuesday a.m., an unknown burglar, surprised in
his unlawful search in the residence of Hon. D. B. Gillham, by
the awakening of the owner of the premises, fired a shot that
has, after all these days, added to his crime of robbery the
greater one of murder. Daily reports of a favorable nature had
somewhat relieved the community from its first shock of anxiety,
and while the enquiries that met the members of the family and
neighbors on all hands at every step abroad, attested the
continued interest of all in the condition of their neighbor and
friend, still a spirit of confidence in a final recovery had
come to exist. This was somewhat shaken Sunday afternoon when it
was known that at about 1:30 p.m. Mr. Gillham had had a profuse
internal hemorrhage, and the fears of his family were awakened
afresh. Still, no one was prepared for the crushing news of his
death, which occurred a little after six, with no remarkable
change of symptoms from those that had marked the earlier part
of the day. Dr.'s Guelich and Yerkes were both in attendance for
two hours or more during the afternoon, and saw no cause for
special anxiety. But the end was nearer than anyone thought. He
retained consciousness to the last. So passes to "the silent
majority" a devoted parent, a good citizen and a noble man whose
sturdy integrity and judgment have been proven in many an event
of public and private life. It is undoubtedly true that no man
in the State of Illinois possessed so wide a personal
acquaintance as Mr. Gillham. A few lines of biography will
indicate somewhat the course of a life with whose later years we
are most of us somewhat familiar, but whose earlier days reach
back to a period when this was but a frontier of civilization.
Daniel Brown Gillham was born at what is now Wanda, Madison
county, Ill., April 29, 1826, the son of Rev. John Gillham, a
prominent Methodist minister, a native of South Carolina. His
mother, nee Phoebe Dunnagan, was a native of Georgia. The
original ancestor of the family in this country, Thomas Gillham,
whose descendants have been identified with the history of
Illinois since its first settlement, was a native of Ireland. He
emigrated from there about 1730 and settled first in Virginia,
removing later to South Carolina, settling in what was then
known as Pendleton county, since divided into the counties of
Pickens and Henderson. He, his sons and sons-in-law, served in
the War for Independence. Soon after the close of the
Revolutionary War, his sons successively removed to Illinois;
John, the grandfather of Hon. D. B. Gillham, arriving in Monroe
county, June 10, 1802, and soon settling in Madison county,
where he lived till his death in 1832. John Gillham, Jr. died in
1835, leaving five small children, among whom was Narcissa, who
became the mother of Mrs. M. H. Boals and Frank, John and Mac
Quigley of Alton. Daniel B., the oldest son, was also the latest
survivor of the family of children. Mr. G.'s boyhood was spent
in harder labor than many of the boys of the same age nowadays
know about - in farm work, which then required a knowledge of
nearly every mechanical trade. He attended district schools,
winters, and when 18 years old spent two terms at McKendree
College. His ready perceptions, splendid memory, and unfailing
sense of propriety enabled him to acquire a practical education
that has been more valuable than any obtained from books alone.
Mr. Gillham was thrice married, first to Miss E. Lucretia Smith,
who lived six years after her marriage, leaving a daughter, M.
Eliza, wife of Warren W. Lowe of Upper Alton. In September 1858
he married Miss Virginia Harrison, daughter of Joseph Harrison,
by whom he had six children, one of whom, Edith, died in 1875.
The surviving children being Willard L. Gillham, a prominent
young lawyer of Chicago; Mrs. Rev. Thomas A. Young of Roodhouse;
Mrs. Rev. S. A. Bowyer of Rochester, N. Y.; Mrs. Herman Cole of
Upper Alton; and Miss Virginia N. Gillham. His second wife dying
in 1872, in 1876 Mr. Gillham was married to Miss Adeline
Harrison, sister of the second wife, who survives him without
children of her own. She has been a tender mother to her
sister's children, and is dearly beloved by them all. In 1872
Mr. Gillham removed from his farm near Wanda to Upper Alton, his
object being to give his children better opportunities for
education. Always deploring his own early deprivation of
educational privileges, he has been an ardent friend to
education. In this direction he has served faithfully as Trustee
and member of the Executive committee of Shurtleff College,
being at the time of his death President of the Board of
Trustees. His death will be keenly felt by those who have
learned to respect him for his zeal and correct judgment, as
well as for his many other attractive qualities. In 1866 he was
elected a member of the State Agricultural Society, and for
eighteen years held the position of General Superintendent of
that organization. From 1874 to 1878 he was President, and since
the latter date has been, continuously, Vice-President for the
Eighteenth Congressional District. In this work he has come into
contact with an immense number of people all over the State. He
has delivered many lectures and read many papers at Agricultural
Institutes, being constantly in demand for that purpose, and
frequently spending weeks in a round of similar duties. Always
ready, always having a timely topic and handling it in a way
that carried conviction to his hearers, he has probably done
more than any other man to stimulate the farmers of our State to
proper methods, and to obtain for themselves those advantages to
which they are properly entitled. He has for years been
regularly appointed a representative of the State in the
American Forestry Congress, and other national meetings of a
similar character. He was a member of the lower house of the
Twenty-seventh General Assembly and assisted in framing the law
that enacted the present State Board of Agriculture, making it a
part of the State Government. From 1882 to 1886, he served as
State Senator from this county. His public life has been full of
work, and his work has always been done conscientiously and
thoroughly.
Source: The New York Times, February 12, 1891
The murderers of Senator Daniel B. Gillham have been arrested,
and two of them are now in the jail at Edwardsville. On the
night of the 19th of March, 1890, Senator Gillham discovered a
burglar in his bedroom, and in endeavoring to capture him he was
shot twice, receiving wounds which caused his death on April 6
following. The two men now in jail are John Brown and H. C.
Wyatt. Wyatt was captured in Omaha last week, and made a full
confession, implicating Brown and a man named George Starkey,
who was arrested at St. Joseph, Mo., today. Brown was arrested
here on Friday last while at work on the Bluff line. According
to the confession of Wyatt, Starkey entered the house and did
the shooting while he and Brown stood guard on the outside.
Wyatt is a sewing machine agent and lived in Alton at the time
of the murder, and Brown boarded with him. Starkey lived at
Bethalto and has been in trouble before. Willard Gillham, the
son of Senator Gillham, has devoted his entire time in searching
out these men, and was assisted in the work by other members of
the family. There is general rejoicing over the news of the
capture, as Mr. Gillham was one of the most prominent men in
Madison County and Illinois. He was a very rich man, and has
held many public offices in the State. At the time of the
tragedy he was a member of the State Board of Agriculture.
Source: Buffalo, New York Morning Express, February 13, 1891
ALTON, III., Feb, 13. - The murderers of Senator Daniel B.
Gillham have been arrested and two of them are now in the jail
at Edwardsville. The two men now in jail are John Brown and H.
C. Wyatt. Wyatt was captured in Omaha last week and made a full
confession, implicating Brown and a man named George Starkey,
who was arrested at St. Joseph, Mo., yesterday. Brown was
arrested here on Friday last while at work. According to the
confession of Wyatt, Starkey entered the house while he and
Brown stood guard on the outside. There is general rejoicing
over the news of the capture of these men, as Mr. Gillham was
one of the prominent men in Madison County and Illinois.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 17, 1900 Efforts Being
Made to Secure Pardon of John Brown
Efforts are being made,
and with considerable show of success, to secure the pardon of
John Brown from the Chester penitentiary where he is serving a
life sentence for the murder of Senator D. B. Gillham in Upper
Alton, nearly ten years ago. New and important evidence showing
the entire innocence of Brown has been unearthed by Col. J. J.
Brenholt, attorney for Brown, and who represented the latter at
the trial when he was convicted mainly on the evidence of a man
named Wyatt, who turned State's evidence to save himself. John
Brown was always considered a law abiding citizen until the
death of Senator Gillham, and that he had any connection with
that unfortunate affair was proven only by circumstantial
evidence and the word of a self-confessed wrongdoer, Wyatt, a
sewing machine agent who reputation was bad. Wyatt said he was
one of a party who planned a raid on Senator Gillham's residence
for the purpose of robbery, and they were carrying out their
plans when Senator Gillham discovered them and was killed.
George Starkey and John Brown were implicated by this
confession, arrested, convicted and sent to the Chester
penitentiary. Starkey died there a few years ago. All through
his trial Brown protested his innocence but for his
determination not to involve a friend in disgrace, could have
proven a complete alibi. Advised by his counsel to do so, he
refused and said he preferred to hang rather than involve
another in everlasting disgrace. The case, owing to the
prominence of some of the parties, attracted widespread
attention, and the Gillham family employed eminent legal talent
and spent a great deal of money to secure conviction. Some years
ago at Lewiston, Wyatt made a confession supported by affidavit
that Brown was innocent and was not implicated in the plan to
rob or in any other way with the death. He said, too, that he
himself was the murderer of Mr. Gillham, and that he perjured
himself at the trial. Willard Gillham, a son of the dead
senator, went to Lewiston and saw Wyatt, who told him the same
story. Wyatt was jailed, and suicided a few days after. Col.
Brenholt and Brown's relatives then renewed their efforts to
secure the liberty of Brown. His father-in-law, Dempsey Abel, a
resident of Upper Alton, has spent almost his entire means
endeavoring to secure the vindication and release of his
son-in-law. A Roman Catholic clergyman has recently become very
active in behalf of Brown, and is assisting Colonel Brenholt
materially. He states that he knows positively now that Brown is
innocent, and he will go before the Board of Pardon's with such
of his story as he can tell. It is the impression of those
familiary with the facts that John Brown will soon be a free
man, and these same persons have no hesitation in saying that he
is a martyr to principle.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 8, 1901
Charged With Murder of D. B.
Gilham, John Brown's Sentence Shortened to 17 Years 6 Months
The Telegraph is indebted to D. B. Breed, clerk of the Board of
Pardons, for the following opinion of the board in the case of
John Brown, charged with the murder of Daniel B. Gilham in 1890,
at his home in Upper Alton. The sentence is commuted to 17 years
and 6 months. The jury sentenced Brown and Starkey to 30 years
each. Starkey died in prison a few years ago. The third party
connected with the murder, Wyatt, committed suicide in the
Lewiston jail a few years ago while confined upon the charge of
horse theft. Below is the opinion of the board:
"At the
October term, 1891, of the Circuit Court of Madison county,
Judge A. S. Wilderman presiding, the petitioner was convicted of
the crime of murder, and sentenced to the penitentiary at
Chester for 30 years. On the morning of the 19th of March, 1890,
burglars entered the residence of Hon. Daniel B. Gillham in
Upper Alton for the purpose of robbery. Hearing the men in the
house, Mr. Gillham arose from his bed and encountered a man who
was engaged in rifling his pants. As Mr. Gillham moved toward
the man, the latter fired and the ball struck Mr. Gilham in the
left breast. Mr. Gillham died shortly after from the effects of
the wound. Sometime afterwards, the petitioner, George Starkey
and one James R. Wyatt were indicted for the murder of Mr.
Gilham. Mr. Gillham could not positively identify the man who
shot him, but prior to his death gave as good a description of
him as was possible, and this description very closely resembled
Starkey. On the trial, Wyatt turned State's evidence and
testified for the State. The State's attorney informed the jury
that unless the testimony of Wyatt was corroborated, he would
not ask the jury to believe it. And there is no doubt but that
in many respects his testimony was so corroborated. Mr. Gillham
was one of the best known men in the State, and his murder
caused a most profound sensation. Every detail of the crime and
all the circumstances surrounding it were very widely published
in the leading papers in this State and also in St. Louis. In
view of this fact it was an easy matter for Wyatt to testify to
matters of which he had no knowledge, but could easily be
corroborated by other witnesses. There is no doubt but Wyatt was
a bad man, in the full acceptation of the term. He served one
term in the Chester penitentiary and ended his life by suicide
in a county jail while waiting to be transferred to the Joliet
penitentiary. The state's attorney seems to have had no
confidence in him, only as he was corroborated by creditable
persons. And it is conceded by a majority of the jurors that had
it not been for Wyatt's testimony, they would not have convicted
Brown and Starkey. Starkey died in prison, and on his deathbed,
when he knew that he had but a few hours to live, denied that he
had anything to do with the crime. Wyatt was arrested in Fulton
county for some crime, and had been sentenced to the prison at
Joliet. He had the sheriff telegraph to a son of the murdered
man, who arrived at the jail the next day, and had an interview
with Wyatt. This son writes the board as follows: 'I saw Wyatt
at Lewistown, Fulton county, the day before he killed himself.
He said that he did not know anything about the murder, and did
not know whether Starkey and Brown were guilty or not.' On the
same or preceding day he told the turnkey of the jail and
another man, affidavits of whom are in the record, that he was
concerned in the killing, but that he had sworn falsely against
Starkey and Brown. When Wyatt's dead body was found in the cell,
a letter was found under the pillow of his cot, which is as
follows: 'Lewistown, Ill., October 10, 18--. Williard L.
Gillham: Dear Sir - The words that I told you are true on my
dying bed, so help me Almighty God, who is in Heaven above. I
swore falsely against John Brown and George Starkey. This is my
last words to you on this earth. James Robert Wyatt.' There is
presented to us an affidavit made by his wife in which she
states that her husband had entered into an agreement with
another man to testify against Brown and Starkey. The
consideration of this agreement was that the other party was to
save Wyatt from punishment for a crime he had committed. We know
nothing of the credibility of Mrs. Wyatt, but portions of her
affidavits are undoubtedly true, but the statement to which we
have alluded may or may not be true. The state's attorney in his
statement says: 'I do not think Brown intended to do any more
than commit a burglary and would never have shot Gillham. Wyatt
was a man of no principle, but he seemed to be corroborated by
witnesses of unquestioned integrity.'
As has already
been stated, it was an easy matter for Wyatt to testify to
certain circumstances in which he was corroborated, as the
state's attorney suggests. And yet, he might have all the time
been swearing falsely, as he says (in his letter just before he
committed suicide) he did. If the testimony of Wyatt is
eliminated, then according to the statement of the jury, which
is found in the record, the petitioner and Starkey would not
have been convicted. If the sworn statement of Wyatt's is to be
believed, there is an inducement for him to swear falsely at the
trial; and he also told the jailor at Lewistown that he expected
to secure part of the reward offered for the conviction of the
party who killed Mr. Gillham. But there was no inducement for
him to sit down just before he was going to die and write a
falsehood. It seems that, for some time prior to Brown's arrest,
there was more or less talk in the immediate vicinity, of Brown
having some connection with or knowledge of the murder.
Affidavits are presented for one or more parties who spoke to
him about the matter. Knowing this idea was prevalent to a
certain extent, had he been guilty it would seem that he would
have made some attempt to escape, but he did not. The law gives
to the prisoner the benefit of any doubts, and the testimony of
Wyatt, and his subsequent statement leaves upon our minds a very
grave doubt as to the guilt of the petitioner. There was quite a
large reward offered for the conviction of the murderers of Mr.
Gillham. That Wyatt was a conscientiousless scoundrel, who would
not hesitate to commit perjury, is beyond question. The
conviction of Brown and Starkey rested upon statements which he
made. That the hope of a money consideration would lead him to
swear away the liberty of anyone is no doubt true. The jury,
after hearing all the evidence, were undoubtedly impressed with
the idea that there was a probability that Brown and Starkey
were innocent. Had they felt otherwise, they certainly would
have given the prisoners a more severe sentence. A petition
signed by over three hundred citizens of the county asking an
absolute pardon is before us. While having no confidence in
Wyatt's statement, we believe he came nearer telling the truth
when he wrote the letter which was found under his pillow, after
he committed suicide, than when he was on the witness stand
testifying with the hope of reward before him. Could we believe
from all the facts and circumstances as they appear before us,
that this petitioner was undoubtedly guilty, our regret would be
that it was not in our power to extend the term of his
imprisonment to his natural life. If Wyatt, who was the
principle witness, had been a man whose word the State's
attorney would have accepted without it being corroborated by
credible persons, we would not recommend any interference with
the judgment of the court. But, in view of all the
circumstances, we feel that there is such a doubt of the guilt
of the prisoner, who has never before been accused of crime,
that we believe the sentence should be commuted. We, therefore,
recommend that the sentence be commuted to seventeen years and
six months."
The Board of Pardons consists of Richard A.
Lemon, Clinton, Chairman; Morris Emmerson, Mt. Vernon; Ethan A.
Snively, Springfield; D. B. Breed, Clerk.
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, July 17, 1901
John Brown, the man who has
served ten years in the Chester penitentiary for the murder of
Senator Daniel Gillham in Upper Alton, is well and is looking
forward with pleasant anticipations to the time when he will be
released from confinement September 17. Brown says that he
intends to go back to Upper Alton to make his home and will try
to secure work at his old trade, carpentry. He says that it is
his ambition to live an upright life in Upper Alton, and to try
to show by his life that he was not guilty of the terrible crime
that was fastened upon him at his trial.
Source:
September 18, 1901 John Brown Returns to North Alton
John
Brown, who was liberated yesterday from the Chester penitentiary
where he was confined 11 years for the murder of Senator Daniel
B. Gillham, arrived home this morning from Chester. He is
staying at the home of Dempsey Abel at North Alton
Source: Find A Grave; Newspaper article dated October 14, year
unknown. History of the Case
Senator Daniel B. Gillham was
murdered on March 18, 1890 at his home on the outskirts of Upper
Alton. It was between 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning when he was
awakened by a burglar in his room. He immediately started for
the fellow, who warned him to stand back. Mr. Gillham, however,
kept on and was shot through the left breast. For days his life
hung in the balance, but it was thought he had recovered about
May. In the following summer he died quite suddenly [He actually
died April 6, 1890]. The day after the attempted murder, Chief
of Police Kuhn asserted that two men, Sterehey [Starkey] and
Wyatt, had a hand in the affair, but there was no evidence to
hold them. Time dragged by, and finally a clue came from St.
Joseph, Mo. Wyatt was a machine agent, and in some way one of
the company's men got on to Wyatt's connection with the case.
Wyatt turned state's evidence, and got off free. He testified
that Sterchey [Starkey] a man named Brown who had worked for
Gillham, and he had planned to rob Gillham, as they had seen him
come from a bank the evening before and presumed he had drawn
considerable money.
GILLHAM, EDITH BELLE/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 26, 1875
Daughter of Senator Daniel B. Gillham
Hon. Daniel B. Gillham
has been greatly afflicted in the loss of his daughter, Edith
Belle, an unusually promising and interesting girl of 12 years,
who died Tuesday evening at the family residence in Upper Alton
after a protracted illness. Mr. Gillham and family have the
sympathy of a host of friends in their affliction. [Burial was
in the Upper Alton Oakwood Cemetery.]
GILLHAM, HANNAH MARIAH (nee BARNSBACK)/Source: Alton
Telegraph, March 13, 1879
From Edwardsville – Mrs. Gillham,
relict of the late Josiah K. Gillham, and mother-in-law of Hon.
W. H. Krome, died at the residence of the latter in Edwardsville
last Thursday. The deceased was a daughter of Mrs. Mary
Barnsback, widow of the late George Barnsback, who with a large
number of relations and friends, were in attendance at the
funeral last Saturday.
NOTES:
Hannah Barnsback Gillham
was born July 13, 1819, in Illinois. She was the daughter of
George Frederick Julius Barnsback (1781-1869) and Mary Ann
Minter Barnsback (1787-1879). According to Find A Grave, Hannah
was married to Shadrach Bond Gillham (1812-1874), but the
obituary above states she was married to Josiah K. Gillham. Her
children were: Emma B. Gillham, Clarence Gillham, Julia Ann
Gillham Hatcher (1839-1904), George Johnson Gillham (1841-1901),
Melvina Gillham Gonterman (1842-1928), Julius Augustus Gillham
(1844-1904), Lucy Medora Gillham Krome (1853-1928), Josiah F.
Gillham (1857-1860), Alma Belle Gillham (1859-1860), Thomas E.
Gillham (1861-1865), and Isabel J. Gillham (1866-1868).
GILLHAM, HETTY/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 5, 1878
Mrs. Hetty, wife of Mr. J. J. Gillham, who lives in the American
Bottom below Alton, died at 12 o’clock Monday night of
erysipelas, after an illness of about three weeks. She leaves a
husband and four children, besides numerous other relatives and
friends to mourn her death. Mrs. Gillham was a sister of Mrs. J.
H. Maupin of Alton.
GILLHAM, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 15,
1903
Member of Pioneering Family
James Gillham, one of
the oldest residents of Madison county, died at his home on
North Alby street, in this city, last night at 8:30 o'clock,
aged 78 years. He was in his usual health last evening at supper
time. He listened while his daughter read the evening paper to
him, and expressed himself as feeling better than usual. He
retired soon after, and about 8:30 o'clock his wife heard him
breathing heavily. She spoke to him, but he did not answer. She
called other members of the family, but when they arrived the
vital spark had fled. James Gillham was born near Wanda, in this
county, 78 years ago [1825]. He was a member of the large, well
known family of Gillhams, pioneers of this county, and whose
names are associated with the early history of this section of
the State. In 1869, Mr. Gillham purchased the "Booth place" on
North Alby street, and has resided there since that date. He has
one brother living, R. C. Gillham of Edwardsville, and one
sister, Mrs. John Wilson of Albany, Ill. His aged wife survives
him, although she has been quite ill several times during the
winter. She is now much stronger. Two step-daughters also
survive him, Mrs. Charles Connor of Hope, North Dakota, and Mrs.
A. O. Borden of Alton. W. R. Gillham, in the employ of the
Electric Railway Company, is a nephew of deceased. Mr. Gillham
was never robust physically, and has always had the appearance
of being older than he really was, but has enjoyed fair health.
He was highly esteemed by all acquaintances and deeply attached
to his family. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at
his home on Alby street, at 8 o'clock. The interment will take
place in the Wanda cemetery, eight miles east of Alton.
GILLHAM, LEWELLYN/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 26, 1850
Died at his residence in the American Bottom, on the 20th inst.,
of cholera, Lewellyn Gillham, Esq., in the ___ year of his age.
He was taken ill about one o’clock in the afternoon, and died at
night the same day. His suffering was short but severe, and he
bore it with the fortitude of a Christian. Mr. Gillham was an
affectionate husband and father, and was universally beloved by
all who knew him. In his death, the community have lost a
valuable citizen, and the church a devoted member. About
thirteen years previous to his death, he made a profession of
the Christian religion, and yoked himself with the M. E. Church,
and lived and died an acceptable member of the same. A short
time before his departure, he showed his belief that his
sickness would be unto death, but at the same time, expressed an
entire confidence in the mercy of his God, and said, “If it is
the Lord’s will, I would rather die than live.” With perfect
confidence and fully relizing that he was completing his labors
on earth, he requested of his wife to meet him in Heaven, and
then expressed himself as though he had obtained a complete
victory over the grave. Mr. Gillham leaves a companion, two
sweet little children, and an aged mother, besides many other
friends, to mourn his loss. He rests from his labors, where the
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary soul is at rest. May
the Lord direct his family to the same haven of refuge!
GILLHAM, LYDIA (nee SOUTHARD)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, December 18, 1916
Mrs. Lydia Gillham, wife of
William, died Sunday morning at 3 o'clock at the family home,
207 east Twelfth street, after a brief illness with Bright's
disease. It was not until the last few days that her friends
knew that the condition of Mrs. Gillham was at all serious. She
had been sick only a week and the malady was dangerous from the
very start. The news of her death came as a sad surprise to her
many friends, who had learned to love her for her many good
qualities. She was know for her kindliness and her
thoughtfulness, and many a good act was performed by Mrs.
Gillham where comfort was administered to those in distress, and
help to the needy, without anyone being the wiser. The
remembrance of her many virtues is held by all those who knew
her, especially by her family and those who had lived as
neighbors to her. Mrs. Gillham was Miss Lydia Southard, and was
born near Wanda in Madison county. She came of an old time
Madison county family. A childhood romance that began when they
were boys and girls culminated in the marriage of Mrs. Gillham,
and the couple remained all their thirty-five years of married
life the same devoted sweethearts they had been as children.
Mrs. Gillham was born in Madison county, August 7th, 1859. She
leaves her husband and four children, Claude of Jarbridge, Nev.;
Gershom Gillham and Misses Maude and Ino Gillham of Alton. One
son, Gershom, is convalescent after a long illness at the family
home. The funeral will be held from the residence Tuesday
afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. A. C. Goyer of the First Methodist
Church officiating.
GILLHAM, MARTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 10,
1912
Mrs. Martha Gillham, widow of Shadrick B. Gillham, aged
79, dropped dead Saturday night at 6:30 o'clock in the Gillham
home on Brown street while talking to her daughter, Miss Lillie
Gillham, with whom she lived. The death of Mrs. Gillham was
entirely unexpected. She had been in very good health in spite
of her advanced age, and she had been about the house during the
day and had gone out in the yard several times and worked in her
flower garden. Saturday evening shortly after supper, Mrs.
Gillham was in the sitting room talking to her daughter, when
she was suddenly stricken and died without speaking a word. Dr.
L. L. Yerkes was called in, but he found Mrs. Gillham dead. Her
death is attributed to apoplexy. Mrs. Gillham passed her 79th
birthday last month. She was born in 1833 in the country, just
this side of East St. Louis, which is now comprised by the
corporation of Granite City. She married S. B. Gillham on
January 11, 1859, and had lived in Upper Alton ever since. Her
husband was for many years president of the Upper Alton school
board, and was a very prominent man in Madison county many
years. Six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Gillham sold their old place
at the east end of Brown street where they had lived forty-two
years, and moved to a handsome new home on the same street
several blocks west. In this house both Mr. and Mrs. Gillham
died. She leaves two daughters and one son. The son, James T.
Atkins, lives at Riverside, California. The daughters are Mrs.
H. G. Sargent of Kansas City and Miss Lillie Gillham of Upper
Alton. A notable coincidence in the death of Mrs. Gillham is
that she passed away on the same day of the week at the same
hour that her husband did - Saturday at about half past six in
the evening. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2
o'clock from the Upper Alton Methodist church. Rev. Dr. Scarritt
of Alton will officiate.
GILLHAM, RYDERUS C./Source: Alton Telegraph, December 18,
1846
Died at his residence on the Sandridge in the American
Bottom, Madison County, on the 19th ult., Mr. Ryderus C.
Gillham, aged 65 years, 6 months and 16 days. The deceased was
born in South Carolina, but immigrated to this state in 1802,
and has since resided in the present bounds of Madison County.
He was married in February 1807, and settled on the farm on
which he died in April following, where he has resided ever
since. Mr. Gillham has been the father of 14 children, 12 of
whom are now living - 8 by his first, and 6 by a second wife. He
joined the Methodist E. Church in 1810, and lived an acceptable
member till his death, and has left a widow, a large family, and
many relations and friends to mourn his loss, which to them is
irreparable, but the righteous has hope in his death.
GILLHAM, SHADRACH BOND/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 10,
1874
This esteemed old citizen of Madison County died on his
farm in the American Bottom at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning
[December 9], of typhoid pneumonia. Mr. Gillham went to St.
Louis last Friday morning with a drove of hogs and was taken
sick in that city, and had to be brought home before he could
dispose of his hogs, and died as stated above. Mr. Gillham was
born in Madison County in the American Bottom in November 1812,
and was in his 63rd year at the time of his death.
In
Memoriam of Shadrach Bond Gillham
Source: Alton Telegraph,
December 31, 1874
Shadrach Bond Gillham, the subject of this
brief sketch, was born in Madison County, Illinois, November 25,
1812, being in his sixty-third year at the time of his death. He
lost his father when quite young, and many years of his early
manhood were spent working with, and superintending his mother’s
farm. At the age of 25 years, he married Hannah Mariah, daughter
of George Barnsback, of Madison County. He selected for his home
a spot not far from his birthplace, and by industry,
perseverance, and economy, soon made for himself and family a
pleasant home, and lived therein in peace and contentment until
his recent and sudden death. A man of great energy and ability,
he seldom, if ever, undertook anything he did not accomplish.
Try, try again was his motto, and I never knew him to fail.
Being of a kind disposition and pleasant manner, he was loved by
young and old. Some fifteen years ago, he united with the
Baptist Church of Upper Alton, and remained a member of that
church until his death.
Business called him on December 2
to St. Louis, and while there he was taken violently ill. By the
assistance of friends, he reached home. A physician was called,
but he continued to grow worse, and though all in human power
was done to save him, in the sixth day of his sickness he passed
away. Shortly before he died, he called his family around him
and requested his daughter to play his favorite melody on the
piano, and as calmly as a babe falls to sleep, he passed away.
Thus, in one short week, the loved father and husband was taken.
He was buried at the old family graveyard on “Ridge
Prairie,” buried by the side of his four little children who had
gone before him, and who were waiting with outstretch arms on
that “shining shore” for papa. Kind neighbor, dear husband, and
beloved father, may you indeed be on that shining shore where
sorrow will come no more, and may you be encircled by those
little ones who called you papa. Mr. Gillham leaves a wife and
six children to mourn his loss. Signed by L. M. G. [possibly
Lucy Medora Gillham, his daughter]
NOTES:
Shadrach
Bond Gillham was the son of Isom (1777-1824) and Ruth Vaughn
(1790-?) Gillham. He was named after Shadrach Bond, the first
Governor of Illinois. His wife was Hannah Mariah Barnsback
Gillham (1819-1879). Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in
Edwardsville. His children were:
Emma B. Gillham; Clarence
Gillham; Julia Ann Gillham Hatcher (1839-1904); George Johnson
Gillham (1841-1901; Melvina Gillham Gonterman (1842-1928);
Julius Augustus Gillham (1844-1904); Lucy Medora Gillham Krome
(1853-1928); Josiah F. Gillham (1857-1860); Alma Belle Gillham
(1859-1860); Thomas E. Gillham (1861-1865); and Isabel J.
Gillham (1866-1868).
GILLHAM, SHADRACH BOND "SHED"/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 16, 1908
Shadrach B. Gillham, aged 77, died Saturday
evening at his home in Upper Alton after a long illness. Mr.
Gillham was generally known as "Shed" Gillham. He was a
conspicuous figure in Upper Alton for many years. He held the
position of president of the Upper Alton public school board for
17 years, and was a member of the board of education for 22
years. He held down the post of secretary of Franklin lodge A.
F. & A. M. of Upper Alton for many years. Within the last year
Mr. Gillham's health had been showing signs of breaking down,
and because of this fact he gave up all the duties he could in
this connection, resigning both as president of the board of
education and as secretary of his lodge. During his long
residence in Upper Alton he had lived a life that merited the
respect and confidence of all who knew him. In the death of S.
B. Gillham, one of the oldest and most prominent residents of
Madison county has passed away. Mr. Gillham was not only
prominent in the conduct of the public schools and educational
institutions, but was connected with public affairs for many
years. He was the first supervisor of Wood River township,
having been elected in 1876 when the township was organized. He
was re-elected to the office each year from that on to 1883. He
retired from the office of supervisor that year, but was elected
to it again in 1884 and held the office three years longer. In
1887 he was elected a highway commissioner and held that office
each year until 1893. During his long period of office as
supervisor of Wood River, he was chairman of the county board
several times. Mr. Gillham leaves his wife, two daughters, Mrs.
Lettie Sargent and Miss Lillie Gillham, and a son, Willard L.
Gillham. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2
o'clock from the Methodist church, Rev. M. B. Baker conducting
the service being assisted by Rev. C. C. Hall, C. C. Nash, and
J. A. Scarritt. The pallbearers will be J. G. Seitz, W. H.
Cartwright, C. H. Campbell, D. M. Kittenger, Henry Blase and D.
A. Wyckoff. The public schools will close for a half day in
honor of a man who had been at their service twenty-five years.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 18, 1908
An
interesting feature of the funeral of Shadrach B. Gillham
Tuesday afternoon in Upper Alton was the large attendance of
relatives. They gathered from all parts of Madison county, and
while there were twelve carriage loads of the Gillhams who
followed the body of Mr. Gillham to the cemetery, there were
many who walked. The great number of Gillhams who could be
assembled at a funeral representing many families calls up the
fact that for many years the Gillham family was probably the
most numerous in Madison county. At one time they owned all the
land on the west side of the county from East Alton to East St.
Louis. The Gillhams knew not the race suicide against which
President Roosevelt preached. They reared large families and
their families reared other large families. They married into
other families that were large and almost all of them lived well
and prospered. Few of them can be found who do not own property
in the county, at least possessing the homes in which they live.
The first Gillham who came to Madison county was Charles
Gillham, who came through here from Kentucky in 1797 seeking his
family who were stolen by Indians and whom he recovered in Logan
county. He liked his first impression of Madison county, and
came back here in 1802 to live. The family has been here ever
since, and they have grown up into a set of good citizens who
have been honored and respected wherever they have lived in the
county. Probably no other family outside of the Browns and
Smiths and Jones, could assemble such a large number of people
of the same name, and it is also probable that there is not a
single family name that would include so many blood relatives
and those acquired by marriage. One son of the deceased, Charles
Gillham, could not be notified of his father's death as his
whereabouts are unknown.
GILLHAM, THOMAS/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 17, 1852
Constable Shot and Killed
We learn that Mr. Thomas Gillham, a
Constable of Madison County, living in the American Bottom,
while attempting on last Saturday to serve a legal writ upon a
man named John Wilkinson for an assault and battery, was shot by
the latter through the body, and expired almost instantly. It is
stated that the act was done in cool blood, and without the
least provocation. Wilkinson escaped immediately after the
murder, and has not yet been apprehended, but as a large force
is out in pursuit of him, there is little doubt but that he will
be speedily arrested and brought to justice. A reward of $200 is
offered for his apprehension by the friends of the murdered man.
It is thought he is making for Whitehall, where he has a number
of relatives residing.
Later: The reward for the
apprehension of Wilkinson, for the murder of Thomas Gillham, has
been increased to $500.
GILLHAM, THOMAS ELMER/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 24,
1865
Died on February 21, 1865, at 2 p.m., Thomas Elmer,
youngest son of Shadrach B. and Hannah Gillham, aged 2 years and
9 months. The funeral will take place on Thursday at 9 o’clock
a.m., from the residence of the parents in the American Bottom,
to the family buying ground of the venerable George Barnsback,
Ridge Prairie, four miles south of Edwardsville. The friends and
acquaintances of the family are invited to attend without
further notice.
GILLHAM, VIRGINIA/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 15, 1872
Wife of Daniel B. Gillham
Died on March 12, in Madison
County, about one and a quarter mile northeast of the
Edwardsville Junction, Mrs. Virginia, wife of Daniel B. Gillham.
GILLHAM, WILLIAM WESLEY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 6, 1900
William Wesley Gillham died at his home in
North Alton this morning at 1:30, of lung fever. Mr. Gillham was
born near Newbern, Jersey county, 56 years ago, and was a
resident of that portion of the country the greater part of his
life. Three years ago he moved to North Alton from Roodhouse,
where he had conducted a livery business in connection with his
brother, Fletcher Gillham. He had been ill only one week, having
taken cold while at work in Hop Hollow, which developed into
lung fever, causing his death. Besides a wife, he leaves one son
and three daughters to mourn his death. The funeral will
probably be Saturday morning from the family home to East
Newbern.
GILLILAND, UNKNOWN CHILD OF A./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 3, 1900
The two years old child of Mr. and
Mrs. A. Gilliland died this morning at 8182 Second Street, and
will be buried at Kane tomorrow.
GILLIS, MARIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 22, 1907
Mrs. Marie Gillis, colored, aged 73 years, died Saturday morning
at 2 a.m. at the home of her son, James Gillis, No. 1200 Wise
street, after a long illness from asthma. The son is the only
survivor of the family. The funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday from the colored Baptist church. Rev. Mr. Mason will
conduct the services.
GILMAN,
ABIA SWIFT (nee LIPPINCOTT)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 14, 1902
Daughter of Rev. Thomas Lippincott; Widow of
Winthrop S. Gilman
The following death notice is from New
York Tribune, of March 3:
"On Sunday, March 2, 1902, at the
house of her son-in-law, Commander Richard Graham Davenport,
U.S.N., Washington, D. C., in the 85th year of her age, Abia
Swift, widow of Winthrop Sargent Gilman of New York. Funeral
service at the brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue and
Thirty-Seventh Street, at 10:30 a.m. of Wednesday, March 5."
Mrs. Gilman was the widow of Winthrop S. Gilman, a member of
the firm of Godfrey & Gilman, merchants of Alton in the early
days. It was in the warehouse of this firm that Lovejoy's last
press was stored, and where its defenders took refuge from the
mob that slew Mr. Lovejoy on the night of November 7, 1837.
NOTES:
Abia Swift Lippincott Gilman was the daughter of
Reverend Thomas and Patience “Patty” Swift Lippincott, who
married August 15, 1816. On July 3, 1817, their first child –
Abia Swift Lippincott – was born in Lumberland, New York, where
Lippincott was working for a lumber dealer. On October 28, 1817,
when Abia was three months old, the Lippincotts left Lumberland
to seek a new home in the West. They traveled in a one-horse
wagon, and then joined a party of 25 people in a flat-bottomed
boat. After reaching Shawneetown, Illinois, they took a wagon
and drove for nine days, reached the Mississippi River on
January 17, 1819, and took a ferry across the river to St.
Louis. At St. Louis, they were welcomed by Mr. Lippincott’s
brother, Samuel. Thomas Lippincott first worked as a clerk in
St. Louis, and became acquainted with Colonel Rufus Easton. The
Colonel asked him to take goods to establish a store in his
newly found Alton in Illinois, which he laid out in 1817. They
formed a partnership as Lippincott & Co., and Thomas loaded his
goods onto a boat, and disembarked at Alton. Once at Alton, he
heard of the flourishing town called Milton near the Wood River
(which was more populated at the time), and decided to set up
his store there.
The Reverend and his wife established
the first Sabbath School in the State of Illinois at the small
settlement of Milton. Within a few months after his arrival, he
received a commission as Justice of the Peace. An epidemic fever
occurred at Milton, caused by the damming of the Wood River for
saw mill purposes. Patience Lippincott became sick with the
fever. Rev. Lippincott placed her in a buggy and drive ten or
twelve miles a day into the country, away from the unhealthy
Wood River. At first, she improved, but when they reached a
friend’s house on Silver Creek in St. Clair County, near Shiloh,
she took very ill. She died October 14, 1819, nine days after
giving birth to a son, which did not survive. The Reverend
buried his wife in the old cemetery at Shiloh, and returned to
Milton with his daughter Abia. He married again to Henrietta
Maria Slater, who died in September 1820, of the same malarial
fever (she is possibly buried in the Milton Cemetery).
Lippincott then fled Milton, along with most of the other
inhabitants of the town. Lippincott moved to Edwardsville with
his daughter, Abia, and worked in the Edwardsville Land Office.
He married again on October 21, 1821 at Edwardsville, to
Catherine Wyley Leggett. The Reverend and Catherine had three
children: Charles Ellet Lippincott (1825-1887); Mary Jane
Lippincott Saunders (1826-1901); and Alexander Lockwood
Lippincott (1830-1852). Catherine died in 1850, and is buried in
the Upper Alton Oakwood Cemetery. Rev. Lippincott married again
November 27, 1851, to Lydia Fairchild Barnes. Rev. Lippincott
died in 1869, and Lydia Lippincott died in 1873. Both are buried
in the Upper Alton Oakwood Cemetery.
In 1834, Abia Swift
Lippincott, then 17 years of age, married Winthrop Sargent
Gilman, a prominent resident of Alton. Gilman was in business
with Captain Benjamin Godfrey, founder of the Monticello Ladies
Seminary in Godfrey and financier of the Chicago & Alton
Railroad. It was in their warehouse that Rev. Lovejoy’s press
was stored, and where it was attacked by pro-slavery rioters in
November 1837. A few years after the death of Rev. Lovejoy,
Winthrop and Abia moved to New York, where he became a leader in
business and religious circles. Winthrop died October 3, 1884,
in Palisades, New York. On March 2, 1902, Abia Swift Lippincott
Gilman died in New York. Both are buried in the Green-Wood
Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. They had nine children, with
only 5 surviving their parents: Arthur Gilman (1835-1836);
Arthur Gilman (1837-1909); Helen Abia Gilman Noyes (1843-1917);
Virginia Gilman (1845-1845); Alice Ives Gilman (1848-1927);
Emily Hoffman Gilman Noyes (1854-1930); Mary Elizabeth Gilman
(1857-1857); Edith Lippincott Gilman (1858-1859); and Serena
Hale Gilman Davenport (1859-1942).
GILMAN, BENJAMIN IVES/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 19,
1866
We regret to announce that Mr. B. I. Gilman, one of the
oldest and most respected, as well as one of the most useful
citizens of this vicinity, died yesterday at his residence in
Godfrey. His death will leave a vacuum to the society of that
place, which will be hard to fill.
NOTES:
Benjamin
Ives Gilman was born October 3, 1794, and died on January 11,
1866 at the age of 71. He is buried in the Godfrey Cemetery. He
was survived by his wife, Mary E. Gilman.
GILMAN, EZRA/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 17, 1883
Madison
County Pioneer
“The world is better that Ezra Gilman has
lived in it.”
Ezra Gilman is dead. These words will bring a
shock of pain to the many friends of that grand old man, who on
the evening of April 23, 1883, passed quietly and peacefully to
his eternal rest. As Mr. Gilman was for over sixty years a
resident of Illinois (living in Madison County for the greater
part of the time), his death marks the fall of another of the
pioneers of the State.
Ezra Gilman was born at Lyman, New
Hampshire, April 8, 1802. In 1820, the second year after
Illinois was admitted into the Union, he came from the East with
Nathan Scarritt, and settled at Edwardsville, Afterwards, he
removed to Scarritt’s Prairie [Godfrey], his home for many
years. If the biography of this good man could be written, it
would be an inspiring volume, and one that the young people of
this generation could read with pleasure and profit. A man of
splendid physique, tall and commanding in appearance, not afraid
of any toil nor dismayed at any hardships, conquering the wilds
of the western prairies by the power of his own strong arm,
always among the first in support of church and school, busy,
but always finding time to attend the bedside of the sick and
afflicted, willing to share his last dollar with the needy and
unfortunate, always cheerful and full of pure humor and fun;
like Lovejoy, through whose veins there flowed never a single
drop of fear, but with a heart that could be melted to
tenderness by the cry of a child, despising every mean thing,
upright, patient, loving, heroic, sublime in his character was
this nature’s nobleman who has so lately passed within the vail.
Mr. Gilman’s wife, who died some years since, was a sister
of the venerable Father Robbins, long a member of the Southern
Illinois Conference, and who is yet affectionately remembered by
hundreds who sat under his ministry.
From Scarritt’s
Prairie, Ezra Gilman went to Mechanicsburg, and later he resided
with his daughter, Mrs. Akerd, at Springfield. Her love and
care, as well as that of Miss Mattie Gilman, through long years
of devotion, cannot be too highly spoken of. Mr. Gilman raised
seven daughters to womanhood, than whom seven more intelligent,
estimable women cannot be found. At the time of his last
sickness, the deceased was on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. G.
H. Dustin of Peoria. He was confined to his bed but three weeks.
During that time, he suffered two strokes of paralysis. His
sufferings were severe, and much of the time he was unconscious.
The remains were taken to a beautiful spot near Springfield
for burial, and there, beside his beloved wife, laid by loving
hands tenderly to rest. A ripe sheaf of wheat would be an
appropriate symbol to place on his grave, for full of years and
wisdom has he been gathered to his fathers. Truly may it be
said, “The world is better that Ezra Gilman has lived in it.”
GILMAN, ISABEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 15,
1915
Mrs. Isabel Gilman, who is over ninety years of age,
died at the home where she had lived, 210 East Second street, at
noon today, from old age. She had been sick six months and up to
the time of her illness she still had charge of a mission on
East Second street which she had conducted for many years. Mrs.
Gilman's death at a ripe old age has an added touch of sadness
to it, in that she leaves alone in the world her ninety-five
year old sister, Mrs. E. B. Clarkson, with whom she had made her
home for many years. The two old sisters were devoted to each
other and they would not be separated. It was the knowledge that
she must soon be parted from her sister for a time that caused
Mrs. Clarkson so much grief, but today, after death had relieved
the suspense of waiting, Mrs. Clarkson was much improved in
spirits. The two aged women had lived the lives of devout
Christians. Both were devoted to their own religious works, and
though following different lines, each always had an interest in
what the other was doing. Mrs. Gilman belonged to the
Congregational Church while Mrs. Clarkson was in the
Presbyterian. Mrs. Gilman was constant in her attendance at
church services, and was more, she was active in doing whatever
the cause she believed in needed to be done. Mrs. Gilman was
born in Newcastle, England. She came to America with Mr. and
Mrs. Clarkson, and after living in the south five years came to
Alton. Except a few years she had lived at Lamar, Mo., she had
spent all of the remainder of her life in Alton. She was married
in Alton to F. H. Gilman, who died 28 years ago. A touching
feature of the death of Mrs. Gilman is that so far as her part
is concerned, the work of a devoted woman, who stood in the
place of a daughter to Mrs. Gilman, Miss Jennie Armstrong, is
ended. Though no relation to Mrs. Gilman, Miss Armstrong gave up
all of her life to the care of Mrs. Gilman, who was an intimate
friend of her mother. She has also given attention to Mrs.
Clarkson and has been unflagging in her loyalty to these two
aged ladies. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
GILMAN, MARY E. (nee MILES)/Source: Alton Telegraph, February
14, 1873
Wife of Benjamin Ives Gilman of Godfrrey
We
regret to learn of the death of Mary E. Gilman, wife of Benjamin
Ives Gilman of Godfrey, which sad event took place on Wednesday
morning, February 5, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr.
John S. Vredenburg Jr., in Springfield. She was ill but a short
time, and died quite suddenly. She was sixty-one years of age.
The remains were brought to her home in Godfrey, and the funeral
services took place there on the morning of the 7th.
The
many friends of Mrs. Gilman in this vicinity where she has lived
so long, loved and respected by all, will hear of her death with
unfeigned sorrow. She was a noble Christian lady, and will long
be missed in her family, the church, and social circles at
Godfrey.
GILMAN,
WINTHROP SARGENT/Source: Alton Telegraph, October 9, 1884
Defender of Lovejoy
The New York Tribune of October 5 records
the death of Mr. Winthrop S. Gilman, the banker, which took
place last Saturday at his country residence in Palisade, New
York. Mr. Gilman was a former resident of Alton, and was one of
the defenders of the press at the time of the pro-slavery riots,
which resulted in the death of Lovejoy, the press being stored
at the time in the warehouse of Godfrey & Gilman.
Mr.
Gilman was born in Marietta, Ohio, March 28, 1808. His father
was one of the Ohio colonists who went West with General Israel
Putnam after the Revolution. Mr. Gilman went to New York when a
boy, and served as clerk in several stores. At the age of
twenty, he returned to the West and established a wholesale
business in Alton. After failing here, he began anew in St.
Louis, with more success. He went again to New York in 1848 as
resident agent of the St. Louis firm, and in 1860 opened the
banking house which is now known as Gilman, Son & Co.
Mr.
Gilman was married in 1835, and he leaves a widow, four sons,
and five daughters. For thirty years he had been a member of the
Brick Presbyterian Church, New York. He was chairman of the
“Five Million Dollar Fund,” of the Presbyterian Church, and a
director and trustee in several banks and insurance companies.
He was gentleman of strong convictions, and possessed of the
most ennobling traits of character. He was liberal and
philanthropic, using his great wealth as a means for the benefit
and advancement of his fellow men. His long life was record of
good and useful deeds. He had many friends among the old
residents of Alton, with whom he maintained a pleasant
intercourse throughout his life. Mr. Gilman’s death leaves Rev.
Thaddeus B. Hurlbut of Upper Alton, and Mr. Henry Tanner of
Buffalo the sole survivors, so far as known, of the defenders of
Lovejoy’s press in Alton, 47 years ago.
NOTES:
Winthrop Sargent Gilman was the son of Benjamin Ives Gilman
(1766-1833) and Hannah Robbins Gilman (1768-1837). He married in
1834 to Abia Swift Lippincott (1817-1902), daughter of Rev.
Thomas Lippincott (1791-1869) and Catherine Wyly Leggett
(1804-1850). They had ten children: Arthur Gilman (1835-1836);
Arthur Gilman (1837-1909); Helen Abia Gilman Noyes (1843-1917);
Virginia Gilman (1845-1845); Alice Ives Gilman (1848-1927);
Benjamin Ives Gilman (1852-1933); Emily Hoffman Gilman Noyes
(1854-1930); Mary Elizabeth Gilman (1857-1857); Edith Lippincott
Gilman (1858-1859); and Serena Hale Gilman Davenport
(1859-1942).
GILMARTIN, PATRICK/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 2, 1913
Patrick Gilmartin, aged 70, died Tuesday [Dec. 31] morning at
his home, 921 Union street, after a long illness. He had lived
in Alton many years and for forty-two years was engineer of the
Hapgood Plow Co. He was known as a quiet industrious man,
thoroughly reliable and he was highly esteemed by his employers
during the long period he served them. Mr. Gilmartin's wife
survives him, also three sons, John, Peter and James Gilmartin,
and four daughters, Misses Elizabeth, Annie and Kate Gilmartin,
and Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald. The funeral will be from St. Patrick's
church Thursday morning. Burial will be in the Greenwood
cemetery.
GILMORE, OTIS/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, January 4, 1882
From Edwardsville - Otis Gilmore, the young man whose arm was
amputated by reason of an injury received in the big flouring
mill here, died last Friday night. His untimely death has caused
a feeling of sadness among all who knew him, and his widowed
mother has the sympathy of her friends and neighbors in this,
her sad hour of bereavement. Otis was a good boy.
GILPATRICK, CHARLES/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 7,
1839
Died, at the residence of Mr. R. Dunlap in Upper Alton
on the 2d inst., Charles Gilpatrick, formerly of Limerick,
Maine, aged about 21 years.
GILSON, ODELL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 13, 1912
Former Manager of Madison Hotel Dies in Denver, Colorado
Odell Gilson, formerly manager of the Madison Hotel, died in
Denver where he went several months ago for his health. During
the past eight months Gilson has been in very bad health, but
recently he seemed to be improving, and the end came very
sudden. Only last Tuesday his mother, Mrs. E. W. Gilson,
received a very encouraging letter from him telling her his
health was improving. He had a hemorrhage on Thursday and died
very suddenly during the afternoon. Mr. Gilson was 38 years old
and has been a resident of Alton for 13 years, coming here from
Fort Worth, Tex., shortly after he was married. Since that time
he lived in Alton and in the 13 years he made a large number of
friends in Alton and in the vicinity. Besides his wife and one
son, he leaves his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Gilson,
and one brother, Harry Gilson of Lake City, Arkansas. The
arrangements for the funeral have not been made as yet, but it
is very probable that the body will be brought back to Alton for
burial.
GINGLES, SAMUEL M./Source: Alton Telegraph, July 6, 1836
Notice is hereby given that on the first Monday in the month of
August next, I will apply to the Court of Probate of Madison
County, Illinois, for a final settlement of the estate of Samuel
M. Gingles, deceased. All persons having claims against said
estate are hereby notified to attend at said time and place, and
present the same for adjustment. Polly Gingles.
GINSLER, BARBARA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 10,
1902
Mrs. Barbara Ginsler, widow of Charles Ginsler, died
this afternoon at 2 o'clock at her home on the sandbar, aged 65,
after an illness with pneumonia. She leaves six children: Louis
and Henry Swallensticker, Charles and Fred Ginsler, Mrs. Minnie
Kieber and Mrs. Pauline Hempke. The funeral will be held
Wednesday.
GINSLER, GEORGIANA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 15,
1902
Mrs. Georgiana Ginsler, aged 35, died this afternoon at
1 o'clock at the home, 802 Liberty street. Her death was caused
by liver complaint. She leaves two children. The funeral will be
Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment will be in City
cemetery.
GINTER, GEORGE A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
18, 1911
George A. Ginter, 69 years of age, died Saturday
night at midnight after a long sickness from a complication of
diseases, at his home, 711 State street. The funeral will be
held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock from the Cathedral, and burial
will be in Greenwood cemetery. He is survived by his wife, who
is a daughter of the late Harry Weaver. Mr. Ginter came to Alton
in the early sixties from the east, and has resided here since
with exception of two years, which he spent in Leadville during
the boom days of that place. He was a carpenter contractor, and
amassed a considerable fortune by prudence, economy and honesty.
His character was of the best, and his death will be regretted
by those who knew him.
GINTER, LOUIS I./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 28,
1904
Mr. Louis I. Ginter, one of Alton's oldest and best
known business men, died at 4 o'clock this afternoon after a
short illness with paralysis, aged 71 years. Mr. Ginter was born
in Adams County, Pa., and came to Alton in 1860, where he has
since lived. Of his immediate family, only two daughters and two
grandchildren survive. Mr. George Ginter, a cousin, also lives
in Alton.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 29, 1904
In the death of Mr. Louis Ginter, brief mention of which was
made Tuesday, the city of Alton loses one of its best business
men and those who knew him well have lost a kindly friend and a
valued counselor. Mr. Ginter was of a retiring nature and was
intimately known to but few who did not meet him in a business
way. Back of his disposition to seek retirement was a genial
nature which made intimate acquaintance with him a thing very
desirable to those who knew him best. Mr. Ginter had been
connected in a business way with Mr. H. T. Wheelock since 1865,
most of which time was spent in the lumber and planing mill
business. Mr. Ginter was active in business, but never let the
excitement of commercial pursuits carry him so far that he lost
sight of his moral obligations to men. His word was always
recognized as sufficient guarantee of what he would do, and his
integrity was not called into question. Since his illness and
death, nothing but good things have been heard of him, and the
example he set in the business world will be remembered by those
who came in contact with him. In his family he was most deeply
interested and spent most of his spare time with them. Twelve
years ago his wife died, and one year ago his youngest daughter,
Mrs. R. P. Harris, passed away, leaving her two little children,
in whom the grandfather was deeply interested. Mr. Ginter leaves
two daughters, Misses Clare Ginter of Chicago, and Elizabeth
Ginter of Alton. He leaves also three brothers, Frank, Albert
and Peter Ginter of New Oxford, Pa., and two sisters of the same
place. Mr. Ginter was born in Adams County, Pa., and was 71
years old. The funeral will be held Thursday morning at 9
o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.
GIRTH, REBECCA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 19,
1899
Mrs. Rebecca Girth died today at 1 o'clock after an
illness from la grippe followed by a paralytic stroke. Mrs.
Girth leaves a husband and five children to mourn her demise.
The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from
the family residence, Sixth and Walnut Streets, to the City
Cemetery.
GIRTH, SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 3,
1908
The funeral of Samuel Girth was held Sunday afternoon
from the home of his brother, John Girth, in Clement Place, and
from there to St. Patrick's church. Rev. Fr. Kehoe conducted the
funeral services. Members of the carpenters' union attended the
funeral in a body.
GISSEL, EVELINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 14,
1906
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gissel of Alby street are sorely
afflicted in the death of their infant child, Eveline, who
passed away at 7:30 o'clock this morning after a painful illness
from pneumonia, aged about six months. The funeral will be held
Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home, 1310 Alby
street. Services will be conducted by Rev. Theodore Oberhellmann
of the German Evangelical church. Interment will be in the City
Cemetery.
GIST, MARY ANN/Source: Alton Telegraph, June 11, 1852
Died
in Martin’s Prairie, May 13, of measles, Mrs. Mary Ann Gist, in
the 29th year of her age. She leaves a husband and four small
children, and numerous connections and friends to mourn her
loss.
GIVENS, UNKNOWN/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 6, 1866
On
Monday evening, a little boy named Givens, whose parents reside
in the second story over Mr. Roesch’s drugstore in Hunterstown,
came to a sudden and untimely end. He had been sent to draw a
bucket of water from a neighbor’s cistern. Not returning
immediately, and his continued absence creating alarm, a search
was instituted, which resulted in finding his body in the
cistern, into which he had fallen while engaged in drawing
water. Although he had not been in the cistern more than ten
minutes when found, yet so much time elapsed before his body was
recovered that life was extinct. Measures were at once adopted
to restore the vital current, but without avail. The parents,
who are worthy and respectable people, have the sympathy of
their neighbors in their sad affliction.
GLADDEN, EDITH HALSEY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 3, 1921
Mrs. Edith Halsey Gladden, wife of Arthur E.
Gladden of the Illini hotel, died last night at 11:30 o'clock in
the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis where she had been
a patient since she became very seriously ill recently. It was
generally known that Mrs. Gladden was in a precarious condition
of health, but it was not realized by most of her friends that
she was in a condition that must result fatally. She underwent a
surgical operation recently in the hope that she would be given
some relief from the malady that had disabled her, but no
permanent beneficial results were obtained. Mrs. Gladden came to
Alton in March 1921, with her husband, who was sent here by the
Standard Oil Co. to take charge of the construction of the new
lubricating oils plant and she remained here since. The couple
first made their home at the Mineral Springs hotel, then in Wood
River and later at the Illini. Mrs. Gladden made many good
friends in Alton and she had the deepest interest of a large
circle of sympathetic friends in her closing illness. She was in
her 46th year, being born February 14, 1876. At the time she
came to Alton, her brother, Bert Halsey, was here, he having
come here at the time of the beginning of the construction of
the Wood River refinery. Mrs. Gladden had been a sufferer for a
long time and bore her sufferings with the utmost fortitude. She
finally consented to undergo treatment in the sanitarium in St.
Louis when it was believed that she might be greatly benefitted.
Mrs. Gladden is survived by her husband, A. E. Gladden; two
daughters, Mrs. Ralph White and Mrs. John White of Whiting,
Ind.; and one son, Horace Gladden of this city. She also leaves
her aged mother, Mrs. Charles Halsey of Cleveland, O.; two
brothers, C. A. Halsey of Alton and Wilford Halsey of
Elizabethtown, New Jersey; and three sisters, Mrs. Carrie Gill
of Whiting, Ind., Mrs. Jesse Moore, Mrs. B. Jerome and Mrs. Ida
Teed, all of Cleveland. The body will be shipped to Cleveland,
Ohio, tonight and the funeral will take place in that city on
Monday.
GLAMBETTI, LOUIS A./Source: Alton Telegraph, April 13, 1849
We regret to state that on the evening of the 5th inst., Louis
A. Glambetti, a child between three and four years of age, and
son of Mr. Alexander Glambetti of Alton, accidentally fell into
a kettle of boiling water and was so severely scalded as to
cause his death in the course of twenty-four hours.
GLASS,
ELLIOTT BREESE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 14, 1916
Prominent Attorney; Mayor of Edwardsville; Newspaper Owner
Elliott Breese Glass, for many years a prominent practicing
attorney of Madison County, and a former resident of Alton, died
at his home in Edwardsville this morning from uraemic poisoning
following an illness of 24 hours. Mr. Glass' death was a great
surprise to everyone. Thursday evening, he was taken with
convulsions and he never rallied. The funeral will be Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Madison County court house at
Edwardsville, where the body will lie in state from 8 o'clock
Sunday morning in the rotunda.
Mr. Glass was born in
Millstadt, Illinois, April 16, 1845. He leaves one sister, Miss
Euphemia Glass of Upper Alton. When he was 17, he entered
Shurtleff College, and afterward began the study of law. He went
to Kansas and then returned to Upper Alton. He studied in the
office of Levi Davis of Alton, and was admitted to the bar. He
opened a law office in Alton in 1871, and was elected
prosecuting attorney of Madison County in 1872. He moved to
Edwardsville in 1875. In 1892 Mr. Glass was re-elected state's
attorney. He served as master in chancery for ten consecutive
years; was mayor of Edwardsville one term; and president of the
Board of Education. He was appointed inheritance tax attorney
two years ago, but resigned last summer. His wife, who died in
1901, was Miss Margaret Stocker of Upper Alton. He leaves two
children, E. B. Jr., and Miss Genevieve. He was a member of the
Alton Lodge of Elks, and also one of the earliest Pythians in
Madison County. For one year he owned the Edwardsville
Intelligencer.
In his career as a lawyer he tried some
important cases. He convicted the murderers of Daniel B.
Gillham. He was known as a vigorous prosecutor. All his life he
was a staunch Democrat, and was always in the party councils
when the advice of the steadier ones was needed. A year ago,
John T. Crocker, a former mayor of Edwardsville died. At his
funeral eight former mayors served as pallbearers. Mr. Glass is
the third of the list to die in the year.
NOTES:
Elliott Breese Glass, prominent attorney and Edwardsville mayor,
was the son of Cornelius and Elizabeth Jane (Pulse) Glass. He
was of Scotch-Irish descent. James Glass, Elliott’s grandfather,
was a farmer, and with his wife and children came to Illinois in
1817, settling in what is now Millstadt Township, St. Clair
County. Cornelius Glass was also a farmer.
Elliott Glass
was educated at Shurtleff College in Upper Alton, then went to
Leavenworth City and studied law with Sears & Taylor. He
returned to Alton and entered the law office of Hon. Levi Davis.
In 1871 he opened his own office in Upper Alton, and the
following year was appointed State’s Attorney. His home in Upper
Alton was located at 2412 College Avenue, at the corner of
College Avenue and Scovell Street. This was later the home of
Upper Alton dentist, George Bassford. The home was razed when
the CVS drugstore was erected.
After moving to
Edwardsville, Glass was appointed Master in Chancery of the
Circuit Court, serving in that position until 1889. In 1888 he
was elected President of the Board of Education. In 1889 he
served as Mayor of Edwardsville for one term.
GLASS, MARGARET EUDORA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 23, 1901
Mrs. Margaret E. Glass, wife of Attorney E.
B. Glass, died last night. The news reached here this morning in
a telegram to her husband from the Southern Illinois Hospital at
Anna, at which she had been a patient for several years. Up to
noon, no arrangements had been definitely made for the funeral,
as Mr. Glass was endeavoring to locate his son by means of the
telegraph. The young man is engaged in railroad work in the
unbroken lead regions of Southwest Missouri, and his father did
not know just when he could be able to communicate with him. The
body will arrive tonight and the probability is that the funeral
will be held tomorrow afternoon. Margaret Eudora Glass was a
native of Madison county and never lived outside its borders.
She was born November 6, 1849 in Upper Alton. She was a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Stocker, and lived with them until her
marriage on June 18, 1874 to E. B. Glass of Edwardsville. The
marriage was blessed with two children, Breeze and Genevieve,
both of whom are living. Mrs. Glass was wrapped up in her family
and was devotion itself in anything in which they were
concerned. Outside of home cares she found considerable time for
social duties, and was a hospitable entertainer. Edwardsville
Intelligencer.
GLASS, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 26,
1912
Child Dies From Rabies
Mary Glass, the five year old
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Glass of East Alton, died Sunday
morning at 3 o'clock from rabies, the result of being bitten by
a mad dog about four weeks ago. The child died with every
symptom of rabies, including hydrophobia, and during the three
days that she suffered the acute and fatal attack her condition
was pitiable. Dr. C. N. Pence, who attended the child after the
first injury, suggested that the Pasteur treatment should be
used for the child, but this was not done, as it was thought
that the bite of the dog would not have any dreadful results.
The child continued to be very nervous and would fear to see or
hear a dog, refusing to go out of the house because of her fear.
Last Thursday night she became very ill, and on Friday morning
her jaws seemed affected and she could not drink water, although
she seemed to want it. Dr. Pence then decided that the case was
a well developed case of rabies, and that it was too late for
anything to be done to give relief. Death followed a long series
of spasms following on one another in rapid succession. The
death of this child marks the first human tragedy in this line
in many years. It is the first local case of death from this
dreadful malady in a long time. Four weeks ago the child was
crossing an alley going from her own home to that of her
grandmother, when she was leaped upon by a dog belonging to
Henry Schultz and bitten about the face and neck. It was during
the very cold weather and it was supposed the dog's condition
had been aggravated by his tail being frozen and that this
caused the rabid symptoms to develop quickly in the dog. The
same dog then bit many other dogs, and caused a widespread panic
in East Alton. Many dogs were killed by their owners, who are
now glad they adopted such extreme measures to prevent a spread
of the malady. The village council passed an ordinance requiring
dogs to be muzzled for twenty-days. However, it is well to say
that in the opinion of doctors, both physicians and
veterinarians, the disease of rabies may develop at any period,
even as long as a year after a bite has been inflicted, and that
the possibility of a serious result form a bite by a rabid dog
is not confined to a few weeks.
GLASSBRENNER, FRED (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 23, 1906
Well Known Veterinary Surgeon
Dr. Fred
Glassbrenner, the well known veterinary surgeon and liveryman,
died Thursday night at his home in North Alton after an illness
from pneumonia, which developed suddenly last Sunday. He was one
of the most estimable and respected citizens of the Altons, and
his death will be genuinely regretted wherever he was known, and
that is in all parts of the state, as he frequently visited
other sections of Illinois in the practice of his profession. He
was considered one of the best veterinary surgeons in Illinois,
and his presence and voice and council at state and district
meetings were always desired and welcomed by members of the
profession. For almost thirty years he conducted a livery stable
in North Alton, disposing of the same only a few weeks ago, and
he intended taking a long needed rest before becoming active in
business of any kind again. He was a genial man, and a most
upright, charitable man, and the kind of citizen every community
is too few of and can afford to lose the least. A kind husband,
a good citizen in every respect, and a splendid neighbor was
removed from earth when death claimed him. He was born in
Werttemberg, Germany, 62 years ago, but came to this country
with his parents when a mere lad. He was married 32 years ago
tomorrow to Miss B____ Pierce of Godfrey, and since that time
they have lived for each other. The anniversary was celebrated
annually and preparations had been made to celebrate the thirty
second anniversary tomorrow, had not fate changed joy to grief.
He leaves besides his wife, two brothers, John at Newbern and
George Glassbrenner of St. Louis, and three sisters, Mrs. John
Redmond of North Alton, Mrs. Anton Heisler of St. Louis, and
Mrs. John Winger of Newbern. In addition, it is estimated that
fully 200 other relatives, blood and by marriage, are living in
the Altons and vicinity. The funeral will be held Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home, where services will be
conducted by Rev. A. G. Lane, pastor of the First Presbyterian
church at Alton.
GLASSBRENNER, LEONORE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 27, 1914
Mrs. Leonore Glassbrenner, wife of Peter
Glassbrenner, died Wednesday night after a long illness at the
family home, No. 6 East Second street. It was known for a long
time that she was in a serious condition. Mrs. Glassbrenner
refused medical attention, and because of the fact that no
doctor attended her even up to the time of her death, there was
no qualified person to issue a death certificate, and it was
necessary to hold a coroner's inquest. Coroner Sims came to
Alton Thursday and conducted a post mortem and an inquest, and
the jury found a verdict of death from natural causes. Mrs.
Glassbrenner leaves beside her husband, two children, Ray and
Emmett. The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from
the home and the services were conducted by representatives of
the Christian Science Church.
GLASSBRENNER, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 28,
1919
Mrs. Mary Glassbrenner, affectionately known as "Aunt
Mary," died Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Charles Wade, in West Ninth street, where she had made her home
for several years. She was the widow of the late "Uncle" John
Glassbrenner, and was about 80 years of age. She spent the last
two years or longer in bed, being a victim of paralysis, and
death has been hovering near her for some time. She was the
mother of the large Glassbrenner family - one of the largest in
this vicinity when descendants are counted, and during her
active life she was a woman who would mother the world if she
could. She was tenderly, sympathetic, and good and kind and
charitable. She and her husband farmed for several years after
their marriage, which occurred in St. Louis. The farm was in
Jersey County, west of Alton on the Grafton road, and there the
children were born and reared. As old age advanced and the
children married, the old couple moved to North Alton, and for
several years conducted a small store in the building at the
corner of State and Rozier streets. After the death of Mr.
Glassbrenner the widow went to live with one of the daughters.
The children surviving are G. L. Glassbrenner of Florida; John
and Henry of Missouri; Peter and William Glassbrenner of Alton.
The daughters are Mrs. Joseph Kohler; Mrs. Bruce Tintoul; Mrs.
John Toapuo; Mrs. John Grenzebach; Mrs. Charles Wade of Alton;
and Mrs. Jesse Starr of Oklahoma.
GLASSMEYER, CHARLES/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 17, 1884
From Bethalto – The funeral of Mr. Charles Glassmeyer Sr. took
place from his late residence in fort Russell Monday morning.
Mr. Glassmeyer was in his 83rd year, and was much esteemed by a
large circle of friends. The remains were interred at the
Lutheran Cemetery.
GLASSMEYER, HENRY/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 14, 1881
From Bethalto – Last Sunday morning, Mr. Rinold Rotsch found a
man lying by the Indianapolis track, 1 ¼ miles west of town. He
came immediately to Bethalto and notified Squires Miller and
Piggott, who with a few others, took a handcar and went down,
but when they arrived at the place, they were too late, as the
body had been carried to Alton Junction [East Alton] by the down
train. The body was recognized to be that of Henry Glassmeyer, a
farmer who lived two and a half miles east of Bethalto. It was
brought to this place Sunday morning. Coroner Youree held the
inquest, and the jury returned a verdict that he came to his
death by jumping or falling from train No. 12, going east
Saturday night, his neck being broken and shoulder somewhat
bruised, no other wounds being found on his body. Mr. Glassmeyer
was a large man, weighing considerable over two hundred pounds,
was a very energetic farmer, and also ran a steam thresher. The
last-named business was the principal cause of his losing his
life.
On the day of his death, July 9, he got on the
local freight at this place, went to St. Louis after some parts
of machinery belonging to his engine. He was at the office of
Curtis & Co., St. Louis, as a receipt was found in his pocket
from that house bearing the above date, thus showing that he was
killed on his return. Mr. Glassmeyer was a member of the Druids
at Bethalto, who turned out in full to attend the funeral today
(Monday). He was buried at the Liberty Priaire graveyard. He was
about fifty years of age. He leaves a wife and six children (two
of whom are grown sons) to mourn his untimely death. The
bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community.
NOTES:
Henry Glassmeyer was born June 9, 1833, and was 48
years of age at the time of his death. He was buried in the
Liberty Prairie Cemetery.
GLASSMEYER, IDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 10,
1917
Miss Ida Glassmeyer, daughter of Mrs. Bertha Glassmeyer
of Washington street, died at the family home at 6:00 this
morning following a nine months illness due to a nervous
breakdown. Miss Glassmeyer, up to the time of her death, was a
very popular young woman. Throughout her long illness she was
most patient. She was 31 years of age. Besides her mother, Miss
Glassmeyer is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Schattner,
Miss Tillie Glassmeyer; also two brothers, William and Harry.
The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from
the German Evangelical Church at Seventh and Henry streets, Rev.
O. W. Heggemeier officiating. Burial will be in City Cemetery.
GLEASON, EMMA/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 15, 1872
A
young lady by the name of Emma Gleason died at the residence of
C. W. Crocker in Edwardsville, on November 10, of a disease said
to have been cerebro-spinal-meningitis.
GLEASON, JOSIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, December 8, 1881
From Edwardsville – Miss Josie Gleason died last Friday at the
residence of John Williams, her brother-in-law, in the 30th year
of her age.
GLEASON, MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 2,
1904
Man Who Buried Dead Confederate Prisoners of War in
North Alton Passes Away
Michael Gleason, who for more than
sixty years was a well known figure about Alton, died Monday
evening in St. Louis, aged 92 years. He and his wife left Alton,
where they yet own considerable property, for St. Louis to make
their home with their daughters about six years ago. All of the
oldest citizens knew and liked "Mike" Gleason. He was genial,
good-natured, accommodating and industrious, with no enemies,
and when he was far past 80 years of age he did a fairly good
day's work with his shovel on the streets. Mr. Gleason was the
sexton of the Confederate Cemetery during the War of the
Rebellion, having been engaged by the late Captain H. W. Hart,
who had the contract for burying all of the prisoners of war who
died in the Alton prison. The actual burying was done by Mr.
Gleason, and he was assisted in digging the graves by the late
James Hannigan, father of Mrs. Mary Quinn of this city. He was
probably the only one who knew the exact spot in the cemetery
where lies the remains of the Confederate prisoner of war, who
after death was discovered to be a woman, and Captain Hart used
to relate how Mr. Gleason rebelled at burying her among the men
in the "rebel" grounds, his idea being that because she was of
the sex of his mother, she should be buried in consecrated
ground, and for years it is said after the war he saw that her
grave was not neglected, and up to the time he left Alton he
frequently went to the cemetery to strew flowers over the place
he placed her body so many years before. The place may be
identified by this very practice of Mr. Gleason, as the North
Alton children sometimes accompanied him on his visits, and it
is stated that one of them, now a business man of this city,
does remember the spot well. A movement was started several
months ago by those interested to have Mr. Gleason come up from
St. Louis and locate the grave so that it could be properly
cared for in future, but the matter was neglected until now it
is too late. Mr. Gleason leaves his wife and two daughters, Mrs.
Mary Gerrity and Miss B. Gleason of St. Louis. The funeral will
be from the Cathedral Wednesday at 10 o'clock a.m., the body
arriving from St. Louis a short time before that hour. [Burial
was in Greenwood Cemetery]
GLEASON, UNKNOWN WIFE OF MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, June 16, 1910
Widow of Man Who Buried
Confederates in North Alton Passes Away
Mrs. Michael Gleason,
for fifty years or more a resident of Alton, died yesterday at
the home of her daughter, Miss Bridget Gleason, in St. Louis,
where she moved from Alton about 11 years ago. She was 90 years
old the first day of last February, and up to about nine weeks
ago was strong and sound in every way, considering her age. The
body will arrive in Alton tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock, and
will be buried in Greenwood cemetery. Michael Gleason died about
ten years ago, or about a year after he and his wife moved to
St. Louis. He was in the employ of the late Henry W. Hart during
the Civil War, and it was he who buried all of the Confederates
who died in the Alton prison. He it was who discovered that one
of the soldiers was a woman, and he was the only one who knew
the exact spot where she was buried. It is related that annually
while he lived in Alton, after the war, he visited that grave
and placed flowers on it.
GLEICH, MARY A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 8,
1921
Mrs. Mary A. Gleich, age 61 years, died this morning at
8:45 at the family home at 910 East Fourth street. Mrs. Gleich
had been enjoying the best of health until about three hours
before her death, which was caused by a hemorrhage of the brain.
She is survived by her husband, Louis Gleich, and two daughters,
Mrs. Joe Wetstein of Edwardsville, Mrs. E. E. Taggen of Chicago,
and two sisters, Mrs. R. Maul and Mrs. R. Magee, both of Alton.
The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Mrs. Gleich was
one of the best known residents of Alton. She was widely known
and was highly esteemed by all who knew her, and her sudden
death was a great shock to the numerous friends who had not the
least intimation of her serious condition.
GLEN, ANDREW J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 9, 1905
Octogenarian Watchmaker Dies From Old Age
Andrew J. Glen,
in his eighty-fourth year, died Thursday night at 9 o'clock at
his residence, 716 Clement place, from the infirmities of old
age. Mr. Glen had been a resident of Alton since 1869, and
during all that time except the last few years of his life he
conducted a jewelry store and a shop for repairing watches and
clocks on Piasa street. During all the years that Mr. Glen was
engaged in business, it was his daily duty to wind up the
watches he had in his shop for repair work and to keep them
running. It was his boast that in all those years he never once
failed to do his daily duty toward the watches and he never
allowed them to run down. He was an active man, even up to the
time he was obliged to lay down the cares of life and retire
from business. He was born at Terrebonne, near Montreal, Canada,
September 15, 1821. His ancestry was Scotch. He moved from
Canada to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1864, and five years later came to
Alton. His wife died in Alton twenty-five years ago. He leaves
two sons, A. J. Glen, Jr., a mail carrier, and John R. Glen of
Jefferson City, Mo., and two daughters, Misses Helen and
Margaret Glen, the latter a teacher in the St. Louis public
schools. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock
from the family home, Rev. A. A. Tanner officiating.
GLEN, ANDREW J. JR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
23, 1918
A. J. Glen, for twenty six years a mail carrier out
of the Alton Post Office, died at his residence, 1227 Diamond
street, Sunday morning at 4:30 o'clock after an illness that has
partially disabled him during the past two years. Mr. Glen had
been in a very bad way since about the time of the death of his
son, Howard Glen, who succumbed to influenza six weeks ago. The
father himself had been in a bad way for a long time. Only his
determination to keep on the job gave him the physical strength
and the courage to stick to his post of duty as long as he did.
He persisted in staying on duty when many another man would have
given up, and several times he collapsed while struggling on
with his burden of mail. Each time he would resume his duty,
until the last sickness, and he never rallied in strength. It
was known for the pas ten days that he was in a dying condition.
He was one of the best known men in Alton. Many years he was
very active in politics in Alton. He was the organizer and drill
master of an old marching club, the Pioneers, which had a long
career and was noted for its excellence in drill. Mr. Glen was
born in Hamilton, Ontario, September 25, 1851. He spent his
childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Alton forty-eight
years ago with his parents. He was twice married, first to
Mollie K. Howard, and next to her cousin, Winefred Howard. He
leaves by his first marriage two daughters, Mrs. G. C. Cole of
Montreal, and Mrs. Elmer Young of Kansas City, Kan. By his
second marriage he had three children, his son, Howard, who died
six weeks ago; another child who died in infancy; and a
daughter, Mrs. John Gray of Redcliffe, Alberta, Canada. Mrs.
Gray was unable to attend her father, but her husband has been
here with him. Beside these, he leaves two sisters, Misses
Margaret and Helen of St. Louis; and a brother, John R. Glen of
Jefferson City, Mo. He was a member of the Court of Honor, and
also had been connected with the Congregational church. The
funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock from the home
and burial will be in City cemetery. Services will be conducted
by Rev. C. C. Smith of the Congregational church.
GLENN, FRANK/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March 30, 1882
From Godfrey – Died this morning, Mr. Frank Glenn, with
consumption.
GLEN, HOWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 12,
1918
Well Known Young Newspaper Man Dies
Howard Glen,
aged 26, is dead following an illness of less than 48 hours.
Glen was up and around on Sunday, taking ill during the day. On
Monday a physician was called. At 8 o'clock this morning Glen
was dead. Death was due to influenza. Glen was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. A. J. Glen of 1227 Diamond street, and was born and
raised in Alton, where he was well known. He attended the Alton
public school and was graduated from the Alton High School in
1910. After his graduation he worked for some time and then
commenced to take a course at Shurtleff College. He would have
graduated from that institution next year, if he had lived. He
was 26 years of age last April. He was a member of the
Congregational Church. He is survived by his wife and two small
children, also by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Glen, and one
sister, Mrs. J. E. Gray of Redcliffe, Alberta, Canada. Mrs. Gray
was before her marriage Miss Flora Glen. For some time Mr. and
Mrs. Glen have not been housekeeping, Mrs. Glen teaching at the
Godfrey school. The young couple have just arranged for a new
home at Maxey and Main streets in Upper Alton, and had planned
to go to housekeeping immediately. The illness of the young
husband and father put an end to the plans already made. Mr. and
Mrs. Glen attended high school together, and were married
shortly after leaving school. Mrs. Glen was before her marriage
Miss Edith Browne. Glen was well known in Alton, having been in
the newspaper business the greater part of his life, working for
O. B. Rynders, the newspaper dealer. He was a popular young man
and was well liked by all who had business and social relations
with him. His death came as a shock to the family and friends.
His father, A. J. Glen, a well known mail carrier, has been in
poor health for some years, and the news of his son's sudden
death has been very hard on him. Howard Glen spent the greater
part of his time in Upper Alton, where he had been attending
Shurtleff College, and did some newspaper work as a sideline. He
and his wife had lived several years in Upper Alton, but about
two years ago they broke up housekeeping as Mrs. Glen wanted to
resume teaching school when teachers became scarce. She did not
resume teaching school this season, and she and her husband had
planned to move back to Upper Alton to again go to housekeeping,
and they had purchased a home that is now under way of
construction. The new house is one located on Clawson St., at
the corner of Maxey avenue. It would have been completed long
ago and the couple could have been living in it, but for delay
in getting material due to war conditions. However, the new home
was practically complete, and the couple were intending to get
into it at once. Mr. Glen had been ill with influenza several
days before he took to his bed. He was in Upper Alton Monday
morning and was telling those whom he met that he had the "flu."
He said he had been very weak for several days and had been
suffering from a bad cold. For several years Glen made the trip
to St. Louis on Saturday nights to accompany the St. Louis
papers to Alton on the special car that carries them up on
Sunday morning. He said that on Sunday morning he was so weak
when the papers were being loaded upon the car in St. Louis that
he was unable to handle the bundles and he was obliged to hire a
man to do the work for him. In spite of his condition he kept on
going, and was around town yesterday before going to the home of
his father, where his death occurred. Yesterday he told several
people he thought he would die, and invited them to bring
flowers to his funeral, but it is not believed he had any idea
he was that bad off, and did not mean what he said.
GLEN, MARY/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 29, 1880
Mrs.
Mary Glen, a highly esteemed lady, wife of Mr. A. J. Glen,
passed peacefully from earth at one o’clock a.m., April 22,
after a long and painful illness at the age of 58 years. Mrs.
Glen was a native of England, but had resided here for many
years. She leaves a number of relatives and many friends to
mourn her death. The funeral took place at Presbyterian Church,
of which she was a member. The services were conducted by Rev.
George C. Adams of the Congregational Church. The burial casket
bore some exquisite wreaths of flowers, the tributes of mourning
friends. A large procession attended the remains to the Alton
City Cemetery, as an evidence of regard for the deceased, and of
sympathy with the bereaved relatives.
GLENN, JENNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28,
1904
Godfrey - Miss Jennie Glenn, niece of Mrs. John Wib____,
died at the residence of her aunt here Saturday morning. Funeral
Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m. at Godfrey Cemetery.
GLENN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 1, 1880
Died
in Godfrey, March 22, Mr. William Glenn, aged 69 years, of
dyspepsia and cancer of the stomach. In recording the departure
of the above respected citizen, some further notice is deserved
for his memory, and will be desired by friends. He came to this
community in 1841 from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and has
lived here since, steadily gaining the respect and confidence of
all. He early obtained land about one mile west of Monticello
Seminary, and fitted up a pleasant home where, with his wife, he
brought up his interesting family, till they have married and
have families of their own. One daughter has recently died in
Robinson, Kansas – Mrs. Louisa Wiebling. Two sons are also in
Kansas, and two sons and two daughters are in Godfrey, and this
near their widowed and bereaved mother. Mr. Glenn, with his
wife, united with the Church of Christ immediately after coming
to this place, and ever maintained a faithful and consistent
Christian character. For many years he was the careful sexton of
the church. Quiet, peaceable, and unassuming, he was loved and
respected in all relations of family, church, neighborhood, and
society. Merrs. J. B. Turner, Edward H. Goulding, Charles
Milnor, William Joesting, W. P. Hagee, and John Kirwin acted as
pallbearers. [Burial was in the Godfrey Cemetery.]
GLENN, WILLIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 9, 1872
Died
on August 6, at Godfrey, Willie, youngest son of Armstrong and
Abbie Glenn; aged 6 months and 2 days.
GLONER, JESSIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 21,
1913
The funeral of Jessie, 2 year old daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. James Gloner, was held at the home at Federal this
afternoon. Burial was in Milton Cemetery.
GLOWNER, PAUL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 10,
1900
Fatal Fall on Ice
Paul Glowner, aged 20 years, died
at 4 o'clock this morning at the home of his father, John
Glowner, on the bank of Duck Lake, which is situated southeast
of the glassworks. Glowner started to walk across the lake from
his home, intending to cross the river to secure work on the ice
last Wednesday. He had walked only a short distance on the ice
on the lake when he slipped and fell, striking the back of his
head on the ice, and concussion of the brain resulted. He never
regained full consciousness. He died this morning. The funeral
will take place tomorrow from the family home.
GODFREY, AUGUSTA ENCKE (nee CALDWELL)/Source: Alton Daily
Telegraph, March 20, 1882
Wife of Benjamin Godfrey Jr.
Mrs. Augusta Encke Godfrey, nee Caldwell, wife of Mr. Benjamin
Godfrey [son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey and Rebecca E. Petit
Godfrey] died at 4:30 o’clock this morning after a week’s
illness, of ilflammation of the brain, in the 31st year of her
age. Deceased was a native of Booneville, Missouri, and a
graduate of Monticello Seminary, class of 1869. She was a most
estimable, accomplished lady, possessed of rare personal
attractions. She leaves a husband and numerous relatives and
friends to mourn her death, which is rendered more sad and
painful by the fact that she leaves seven small children,
deprived of a mother’s tender care by this sudden and unexpected
stroke. The youngest child is but a week old. Mrs. Godfrey’s
sudden death is a terrible shock to her relatives and friends,
and will be greatly mourned. The funeral will take place from
the family residence at Godfrey, Wednesday morning, at 10:30
o’clock.
GODFREY,
BENJAMIN (CAPTAIN)/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 15 & 29, 1862
Sea Captain; Businessman
Founder of Monticello Female
Seminary in Godfrey
Leading Force in the Construction of the
Alton & Springfield Railroad
Died at Godfrey (Monticello),
Illinois, August 13, 1862, Captain Benjamin Godfrey, aged 68. He
was born at Chatham on the coast of Massachusetts, and descended
from Knowles Godfrey II, a Deacon of fair standing and
considerable wealth. Knowles Godfrey II was born in 1762 at
Chatham, Massachusetts, and died in 1794 at the age of 31 or 32.
He was either buried or lost at sea. Benjamin Godfrey had a fair
education, good habits, and correct principles, which were
life-lasting. When a young man, he took to sea life as a
Captain. In the War of 1812, he was in the boat flotilla
service, for which service he procured a land warrant a few
years after. After the war, he settled in Matamoras, Mexico,
where he amassed the main portion of his vast wealth in
mercantile pursuits. Subsequently he settled in New Orleans, and
did business there during a few years. Hence, he came to
Illinois, entered lands to a great extent, and spent the
remainder of his days here.
Captain Godfrey was a
remarkable man. His history, faithfully written, would read
almost like a romance. During a severe storm, and almost
shipwrecked with sickness at sea, Captain Godfrey was in deep
study on account of his family, he having daughters. His mind
was at that time, in 1834, turned to female education, and from
thence it became his hobby, and a great one it has proven.
Religion wrought a great change in his character, and in the
object for which he lived, he used freely for the benefit of his
fellow men, and the advancement of the cause of Christ. In home
and foreign missions, he was deeply interested, and to them as
well as other benevolent enterprises, he was a constant and
liberal giver. Strongly impressed with the importance of
Christian female education, he conceived the idea of founding
such a Seminary, as was not then in existence in the new regions
of the great West, where he passed the latter half of his life.
He erected a suitable building at an expense of more than fifty
thousand dollars, and donated to the Seminary twenty acres of
land. Godfrey gifted the Seminary to a Board of Trustees, and
under his ever-watchful patronage, the institution has been for
a quarter of a century dispensing its blessings over States and
territories on both sides of the Mississippi. That bold edifice,
enlarged to the amount of a hundred thousand dollars, with its
charming grounds, and the church which has sprung from it in
such a form as to furnish a significant indication of the
relations of religion and education which he laid to
contemplate, will constitute his fitting monument. This
establishment will carry his name down to posterity, as it has
already born it far and wide. [Note – the Seminary still stands
today as Lewis & Clark Community College.]
Captain
Godfrey also was the driving force in building the railroad from
Alton to Springfield. To finish it, he hazarded his whole
private fortune, and for several years all feared he had lost
it. But the great suit of Godfrey vs. Metropolitan Bank of New
York City resulted in his favor, but five or three years since,
to the gratification of the entire community.
He lived to
see the Seminary flourish, the railroad completed, and his
fortune returned to him unimpaired, and he died a public
benefactor. His first illness was brief, and his death was
unexpected. Taken with cold, and signs of congestion, he was
recovering, and while sitting up in his room and conversing with
a friend or two, suddenly his head fell back and he died of
apoplexy. He left no will, and his widow and one of his
sons-in-law, John M. Pierson, Esq., of Alton, an excellent
citizen and business man, administered upon the estate, which
was represented before his death at $500,000.
The length
of this notice may be trespass, but I could not any less, upon
the death of so excellent and remarkable a man. A narration of
the thrilling scenes and events of his long career would fill a
volume. If his rooms were large, his heart was larger. While in
tenderness of feeling, he was a little child in capacious grasp
of mind, he was much above the rank of ordinary men. The
apoplectic stroke, which after a brief illness, removed him
suddenly from earth, has smitten a whole community and made them
sick at heart. The church is shaken by it, and the shock will be
felt wherever his extensive business relations and his more
extensive benefactions reached. If a widow and children mourn
his death, their tears are mingled with those of hundreds whose
characters are the offspring of his head and heart. In this
sense, the land is full of his daughters, and when their
daughters, all beneath the lofty towers of the institution he
has reared, they too will bear in mind its origin. The allusion
to this noble man which has long been customary at the
anniversaries of the Monticello Seminary must henceforth be in
memoriam.
NOTES:
Captain Benjamin Godfrey first
married Harriet Cooper. They had the following known children:
James Ryder Godfrey (1818-1881) (m. Lodema Curtiss)
Calvin
Cooper Godfrey (1820-1840) (killed in accident)
Mary Godfrey
(1822-1879)
Benjamin Franklin Godfrey (1823-? – died in
youth)
Harriet Godfrey Bowie (1825-1873) (m. J. H. Bowie)
Benjamin Godfrey (1827-? – died in youth)
Caroline Godfrey
(1827-1837)
Emily Godfrey Palmer (1830-1897) (m. Joseph
Ransom Palmer)
Maria Louise Godfrey Bruner (1831-between 1855
& 1875) (m. Capt. John A. Bruner)
Catharine Godfrey Pearson
(1834/5-1892)
Caroline Godfrey (1837-1837)
After the
death of his first wife in 1838, he married Rebecca E. Petit.
They had the following known children:
Eleanor Godfrey
(1840-1848)
Benjamin Godfrey (1841-1884) (m. Augusta Encke
Caldwell)
Julia Godfrey Leach (1843-1874) (m. Julius C.
Leach)
GODFREY, BENJAMIN B./Source: Alton Telegraph, November 27,
1884
Son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey
We are pained to
record the death of Benjamin Godfrey, which sad event took place
about one o’clock a.m., November 20, at his residence in Godfrey
Township, at the age of 44 years. The disease was erysipelas
[bacterial infection of the upper layer of skin], which had
confined him to his bed for about a week. It was an acute
attack, and made rapid progress from the first. The deceased was
an extensive farmer, and one of the leading citizens of the
township. He was a graduate of Illinois College, a man of
brilliant natural abilities, and of scholarly attainments. He
was the youngest son of the late Benjamin Godfrey Sr., founder
of Monticello Seminary. His death is a terrible shock to a large
circle of relatives and friends. His wife died several years
ago. He leaves an aged mother [Rebecca E. Petit Godfrey] and
several young children, who are now deprived of both father and
mother. The funeral of Godfrey took place last Friday afternoon
from the family residence in Godfrey, with a large attendance of
relatives, neighbors, and friends. The services were
impressively conducted by Rev. J. W. Caldwell, with singing by
the choir of Monticello Seminary.
NOTES:
Benjamin
Godfrey Jr. was born June 28, 1840, to Captain Benjamin Godfrey
Sr. and Rebecca E. Petit Godfrey. He married Augusta Encke
Caldwell on November 9, 1869, in Booneville, Missouri. She was a
native of Booneville, and was an 1869 graduate of the Monticello
Ladies Seminary, which was founded by Captain Benjamin Godfrey
Sr. Augusta died March 20, 1882, in Godfrey, at the age of 31.
She left behind seven children, the youngest being one week old.
Four of their children were Julia, Frank, Lucile, and Benjamin
Godfrey. Benjamin Jr. never remarried.
GODFREY, CALVIN/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 28, 1840
Second Son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey Dies in Tragic Accident
Died, in this city [Alton], Friday morning, March 27, Calvin
Godfrey, second son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey. In the death of
this estimable young man, we have a striking exemplification of
the sentiment, "In such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man
cometh." On the morning of Thursday, he was in perfect health
and just about starting to Waverly, Illinois, for his elder
brother. Standing by the hatchway, in the second story of his
father's warehouse, and hearing some person enter below, he bent
forward over the opening to see if it was the man who had been
dispatched for the carriage. In the act of doing so, the bar
against which he was leaning slipped out, and precipitated him
through a corresponding opening in the first floor into the
cellar. Having struck upon his head and shoulders, injuring his
spine, he was taken up completely paralyzed through his entire
system. He was carried to the residence of his father. A council
of physicians was immediately called, and everything done the
case admitted. But his injuries, being entirely internal, were
beyond the reach of human skill. He continued, with little
bodily pain, until half past seven Friday morning, and then
expired.
This lamented young man has left behind him the
most cheering evidence of Christian character. He made a public
profession of religion in 1837, and continued to give good
evidence of his sincerity, until the day of his death. For
twelve hours after his fatal fall, his reason was unclouded, and
he was able to converse freely with his friends. Much of this
time he spent in prayer. He said to his weeping relatives, "My
friends, weep not for me." Such expressions as follow often
broke from his lips. "God has done right. He is just and good.
He has been unspeakably kind to me, while I have been sinful and
ungrateful. I see my Savior. He is precious, precious! I can
trust my soul entirely with him." Such was the solemn and
interesting scene around this young man's dying bed. His death,
we doubt not, was a triumphant entrance "into the joy of his
Lord." The day of his death was also his birthday. That very
morning, he completed his twentieth year. The body of Calvin
Godfrey will be removed from the residence of his father to
Monticello [Godfrey], this day (Saturday) at one o'clock p.m. At
three o'clock, a funeral sermon will be preached at the Seminary
Chapel.
NOTES:
Calvin Godfrey was born March 27, 1820.
He was the second son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey (the first
being James Ryder Godfrey). Calvin’s mother, Harriet Cooper
Godfrey, had died in June 1838 (two years before Calvin’s
death), at the age of 36. After her death, Captain Godfrey
married Rebecca E. Petit, and at the time of Calvin’s death,
they had one daughter, Eleanor.
The warehouse where
Calvin Godfrey had his accident may have been the same warehouse
where Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered. This warehouse was
owned by Captain Benjamin Godfrey and Winthrop S. Gilman, and
was used to store the Lovejoy press in 1837. It was located on
the riverfront, just south of Broadway, near the foot of William
Street.
Calvin Godfrey died March 27, 1840, and is buried
in the Godfrey Cemetery. Surviving Calvin were his father and
step-mother, and seven siblings. Captain Benjamin Godfrey, died
in 1862.
GODFREY, CALVIN/Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, April 11,
1873
Son of James Godfrey; Great-Grandson of Captain Benjamin
Godfrey
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Calvin Godfrey,
which took place early Sunday morning at the residence of his
father, James Godfrey, in Monticello. His disease was
inflammation of the bowels. He was an estimable young man,
highly respected by a large circle of friends and relatives who
will keenly feel his loss, taking place, as it does, just upon
his entrance on a useful career. His family and friends have the
warm sympathy of the community in their sad affliction.
The death of Mr. Calvin Godfrey, a son of Mr. James R. Godfrey,
of Godfrey, after a brief but exceedingly painful illness of one
week, has cast a gloom over our community. His death occurred on
Sabbath morning, April 6, and the funeral services took place
from his father’s residence today, attended by a large circle of
relatives and friends who deeply deplore the loss of one whom
all respected and loved. The falling rain added much to the
impressiveness of the last sad tribute of respect to the remains
of our departed young friend. May his earnest Christian example,
his filial devotion, and his conscientious discharge of all
life’s duties find an earnest response in the hearts and lives
of all his young companions from whom he has now departed.
GODFREY, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 3,
1901
Grandson of Benjamin Godfrey Killed by Train
Frank
Godfrey, grandson of the founder of Monticello Seminary, was
instantly killed this afternoon shortly before 3 o'clock by
being struck by a work train on the Bluff Line at Job's quarry.
The young man was hunting with George Arbuckle, and the two
attempted to cross the track ahead of the train. Godfrey did not
hear the approaching train, and his companion made an effort to
warn him, but in vain. Godfrey probably did not know the train
was near until he was hit. The corner of the car struck him on
the side of the head, throwing his head to one side and broke
his neck. The body was not mangled. Godfrey's body was brought
to Alton, and an inquest will be held by Deputy Coroner
Streeper. He was 30 years of age and had lived at Godfrey and in
Alton all his life. He is a brother of Mrs. Charles Young of
this city [Alton] and Mayne Godfrey.
NOTES:
Frank
Godfrey was the son of Benjamin Godfrey Jr., and grandson of
Captain Benjamin Godfrey, founder of the Monticello Ladies
Seminary in Godfrey. This was not the first time Frank was
involved in an accident. In 1897, Frank and his brother-in-law,
Charles, were duck hunting on the river. They landed at Eagle’s
Nest Island, and as Godfrey was getting out of the boat, the gun
caught on the boat and fired. Godfrey received part of the shot
in his right hand, and Young received five of the shot in his
right side. Their friend, who was with them, took them to
Clifton Terrace and then to Alton, where they received medical
treatment.
Job’s Quarry, the scene of the accident, was
located near Hop Hollow, just east of the Blue Pool. Frank was
buried in the Godfrey Cemetery.
GODFREY, HARRIET (nee COOPER)/Source: Alton Telegraph, June
6, 1838
First Wife of Captain Benjamin Godfrey
Died, this
morning at Monticello, Mrs. Harriet Godfrey, wife of Benjamin
Godfrey, Esq., in the 37th year of her age. The friends of the
family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on
Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock.
NOTES:
Harriet
Godfrey was the daughter of Calvin & Margaret (Palmer) Cooper,
and was the first wife of Captain Benjamin Godfrey, founder of
Godfrey and the Monticello Ladies Seminary. Harriet was born
December 24, 1801, in Baltimore, Maryland, and is buried in the
Godfrey Cemetery. Captain Godfrey remarried in 1838/9 to Rebecca
E. Petit, and he had three more children.
Children of
Benjamin & Harriet Godfrey:
James Ryder Godfrey (1818-1881)
(m. Lodema Curtiss)
Calvin Cooper Godfrey (1820-1840) (killed
in accident)
Mary Godfrey (1822-1879)
Benjamin Franklin
Godfrey (1823-?; died in his youth)
Harriet Godfrey
(1825-1873) (m. J. H. Bowie)
Benjamin (1827-?; died in his
youth)
Emily Godfrey (1830-1897) (m. Joseph Ransom Palmer)
Maria Louise Godfrey (1831-?) (m. Capt. John A. Bruner)
Catherine Godfrey (1835-1892 – first child born in Godfrey)
Caroline Godfrey (1837-1837)
Children of Benjamin &
Rebecca Godfrey:
Eleanor Godfrey (1840–1848)
Benjamin
Godfrey (abt. 1841–1884) (m. Augusta Encke Caldwell)
Julia
Godfrey (1843 – 1874) (m. Julius C. Leach)
GODFREY, HOMER CURTISS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
February 26, 1920
Grandson of Benjamin Godfrey Dies at
Quincy
It is reported that Homer Godfrey, who died at the
Soldiers' Home at Quincy and was buried at Godfrey last Monday,
left a will which may be probated in the Adams County court
where he died. It is supposed that Godfrey, after being restored
to his property rights recently in the Madison County court,
after being under the custody of a conservator for many years,
proceeded to make use of his restored rights by willing his
property, but to whom he left it has not been disclosed. His
estate consists of about $2,300 in money, and about twenty-one
acres of land in Godfrey township. The death of Godfrey closes a
remarkable life. He was born at Godfrey, Illinois. He was a
volunteer in the Civil War, and was with Sherman on his march to
the sea. He was mustered out of service at Washington in 1865;
returned home; afterwards went south. A love affair of war days
he could not forget. It was the old story, the girl had married
another while he was at the front. In 1872 he was sent to the
Anna hospital, where he remained for some seven or eight years,
when he was removed to Jacksonville. When the Soldiers' Home at
Quincy was opened in the late 1880's, he was sent there where he
had since lived. Last October he was restored to his rights in
the county court. On the witness stand, he told the story of his
life, and gave his age as 78 years. His physical condition was
seemingly perfect; his mental condition wonderful. He gave the
day and date he was discharged from the army; told where he had
been each year down south, up to 1872. On December 19 last, he
was restored to his property rights before a jury in the Probate
Court. He leaves two sisters and a number of nephews and nieces.
He was asked when on the witness stand about his early love
affair. The attorney said: "You got over that love affair?" He
replied: "Yes, I got over it, am over it, but I can never forget
her."
[Homer Curtiss Godfrey was the son of James Ryder
and Lodema Curtiss Godfrey.]
GODFREY, JAMES RYDER/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday,
September 8, 1881
First Son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey
Mr. James R. Godfrey, an old resident of this county, died on
Wednesday morning [September 7], at his residence in Godfrey, of
paralysis, after a lingering illness of six years' duration,
aged 63 years. During all his long-protracted illness, part of
which time he was perfectly helpless, he bore his prostration
and suffering with wonderful patience and resignation.
Throughout the whole of his long years of suffering he has been
cared for with untiring affection by a devoted wife and
daughters, but their ceaseless care and attention were
unavailing to restore him to health. Mr. Godfrey was well known
to all our old citizens. He was a man whose high character and
integrity, and many noble qualities of mind and heart, had made
him universally esteemed and respected.
James Godfrey
was a son of the late Benjamin Godfrey, the founder of
Monticello Seminary. In addition to his widow and five adult
children, three sons and two daughters, he leaves a large circle
of bereaved relatives and friends. The funeral took place this
(Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock.
NOTES:
James Ryder
Godfrey was born August 29, 1818 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was
the first son of Captain Benjamin and Harriet (Cooper) Godfrey.
James married Lodema Curtiss (1822-1915), and they had five
children: Homer Curtiss Godfrey (1842-1920); Theodore E. Godfrey
(1846-1871); James Ryder Godfrey Jr. (1849-1926); Augusta Lodema
Godfrey Strong (1854-1920); and Cora E. Godfrey Turner. James
Ryder Godfrey was buried in the Godfrey Cemetery.
GODFREY, JAMES RYDER JR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
April 2, 1926
Grandson of Captain Benjamin Godfrey; Son of
James Ryder Godfrey Sr.
A letter from Mrs. Cora Turner, wife
of Charles E. Turner, told of the death of her brother, James
Ryder Godfrey Jr., in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was living
with his son, Russell. He slipped on the ice, fell, and broke
his hip, and later had pneumonia. He passed away after an
illness of three weeks, at the age of 76 or 77. He was buried in
the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois on March 4.
Charles and Cora Turner attended the funeral. Mrs. Turner was
formerly Cora E. Godfrey, and was the only remaining member of
the original Godfrey family.
James Ryder Jr. was survived
by four sons, James, Isaac Hall, Theodore, and Russell Godfrey;
and two daughters, Mrs. Everett Epperson and Mrs. Ruth Hopkins;
and one sister, Cora E. Turner, living in Waverly, Illinois. He
was married to Prudence Wilcox, who died in 1905, and is also
buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield.
GODFREY, LODEMA C. (nee CURTISS)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, September 2, 1915
Widow of James Godfrey,
Daughter-In-Law of Benjamin Godfrey, Dies
Mrs. Lodema Curtis
Godfrey, widow of James Godfrey and daughter-in-law of Benjamin
Godfrey, founder of Monticello Seminary, died at midnight,
Wednesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Turner,
where she had lived many years. Mrs. Godfrey is the last of a
long lived family. She had seven brothers and sisters and all of
them lived to be over 80, while one of her parents had reached
the century mark. She herself was nearly 93 years of age. Mrs.
Godfrey's maiden name was Curtis. She attended Monticello
Seminary the second year after the school was opened. The death
of Mrs. Godfrey removes the last of the name of Godfrey in the
vicinity of Godfrey still holding land that originally belonged
to the Benjamin Godfrey estate. At one time Benjamin Godfrey
owned all the land for miles around Godfrey, and the part which
James Godfrey inherited from his father was still held by his
widow at the time of her death, and she lived upon the place.
Mrs. Godfrey had been living in Godfrey township since 1865,
when she settled down there to make her home. She had been sick
about a week, and her death was due to a general breakdown from
old age. She had been very low for several days. Mrs. Godfrey
leaves two daughters, Mrs. Charles Turner of Godfrey; and Mrs.
Augusta Strong of Beloit, Wis.; and two sons, James of
Springfield, and Homer of Quincy. The funeral will be held
Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home. She was
born in Warren, Conn., and came west in 1837 with her parents,
and they settled near what is now Waverly. She was married to
James Godfrey in 1843, and her husband died in 1881. She was a
woman of a very high degree of intellectuality. After her
marriage she came to Alton and was here when the Chicago & Alton
was being built by Capt. Godfrey. Her husband ran the first
train as conductor on the C. & A., having served as a civil
engineer in the building of the railroad.
GODFREY, UNKNOWN INFANT/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March
30, 1882
Son of Benjamin Godfrey Jr.
From Godfrey – Died
this morning, the infant child of Mr. Benjamin Godfrey Jr.
GODWIN, JENNIE McREYNOLDS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 23, 1914
Mrs. Jennie McReynolds Godwin, wife of
Irwin Godwin, a well known street railway conductor, entered
into rest last evening about 8:15 o'clock at the family home,
302 West Fourth street. She was 32 years old last October. The
death of the young woman comes as a sad shock to her friends in
Alton, as well as her bereaved husband. She had become a mother
Thursday morning early, her child passing away soon after birth.
The mother's condition was known to be serious, and as the day
progressed her friends feared for the worst. Early in the
evening she rallied and seemed much better, and when death
claimed her soon after 8 o'clock the shock was a sudden one.
Mrs. Godwin was a daughter of the late R. R. McReynolds of Upper
Alton. She was born there, and had lived here all her life. She
was a devoted member of the Upper Alton Methodist Church, and
all through her life she had been a church and Sunday school
worker. She was known for her sweet disposition and her friends
considered her a sister. She made a specialty of teaching boys
in the Sunday school a long number of years. She leaves two
sisters and one brother as follows: Nelson McReynolds of Upper
Alton; Mrs. N. L. Windsor of East St. Louis; and Mrs. C. W.
Colby of Peoria. The two sisters are at the Godwin home, but the
brother, who is a traveling man, is in Iowa and efforts to
locate him today by wire had failed. In case he cannot be
reached, the funeral will be held Sunday afternoon in the Upper
Alton Methodist Church, and burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Friends of the deceased can see the body at the home, 302 West
Fourth street from 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon until noon
Sunday. The casket will not be opened at the church.
GODWIN, NELSON (PRIVATE)/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 21,
1865
From Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 13th A. C.
Died in southern Alabama near Escambia River, March 29, 1865,
from injuries received by the falling of a tree, Nelson Godwin,
Private, Company G, 97th Illinois Volunteers, aged 19. Godwin
enlisted from Alton about a year ago, and I think, previous to
his enlistment, was in the employ of Mr. Burbank in Alton. He
was a good boy and a good soldier, and beloved by all who knew
him. Our march from Pensacola to Alabama has been a hard one. We
have had to corduroy nearly every mile of the road between
Pensacola and this place, and while engaged in falling trees for
this purpose, young Godwin received the injuries which
occasioned his death.
GOEBEL, LILLIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 24,
1906
Miss Lillian Goebel, whose home was on Taylor avenue in
the north eastern part of the city, died Sunday morning after an
illness of nearly five weeks from appendicitis. The history of
the woman shows her to have been endowed with indomitable pluck
and notwithstanding her adversities, she succeeded in making her
way in the world overcoming obstacles and finding means to
support others as well as to take care of herself by hard work.
Miss Goebel is credited with having built her own little two
room house on Taylor avenue. The interior she kept neat and
clean. She is said to have driven all the nails that held the
building together, and she furnished it herself. Her aged
grandmother, who was helpless for a long time, she supported
until the death of the old lady recently. Dr. H. R. Lemen, who
attended Miss Goebel in her last illness, says that she suffered
four weeks from appendicitis before she would call for medical
help. She did not feel able to pay for a physician's services,
as she had been making her own living by doing scrubbing and
cleaning for people who needed her help, and her illness made it
impossible for her to follow her means of making a livelihood.
She died in the little house she built herself. The house is a
remarkable example of what untrained hands can do when there is
a will directing them. The funeral was held this afternoon at 3
o'clock from the home of the young woman, and Rev. S. D. McKenny
conducted the services.
GOEHL, MRS. HENRY/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 6, 1913
Mrs. Henry Goehl, 80 years old, of Collinsville, Ill., committed
suicide Sunday night by drinking a quart of whiskey, which she
had purchased in the afternoon. A note found near her body said
she was tired of life. She requested her body be buried in Troy,
Ill. An inquest by Coroner J. M. S***s of Edwardsville resulted
in a verdict she had died from alcoholic poisoning. Her body was
found by her husband, Henry Goehl, when he returned to the home
on East Main street. The couple had been married four years.
GOEHLER, MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11,
1900
Michael Goehler died last night at 9 o'clock at his home
at Alton Park, east of the city, after a long illness. He had
but one relative in the world, Mrs. John Stutz, and is reported
to have been quite wealthy. Goehler was a well known person,
having lived east of the city many years, and conducted the
place known as the Alton Park. He was 73 years of age. The
funeral will be Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
GOEHRINGER, LOUISE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
23, 1902
Mrs. Louise Goehringer, wife of Julius Goehringer,
died Tuesday morning at 2 o'clock, after a lingering illness
from kidney and heart troubles. She was 28 years of age and had
been a wife for ten years. She was a young woman of a most
estimable character and her death comes as a crushing blow on
her little family, which has been deprived of wife and mother.
Mrs. Goehringer was a native of St. Louis, but has been living
in Alton several years. She was ill nearly three months, and
during the last month her condition was critical most of the
time. She leaves beside her husband, one child. The funeral will
be from the family home, 1713 Market street.
GOEHRINGER, MADELINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2,
1906
Mrs. Madeline Goehringer died Wednesday morning at 7:30
o'clock at the age of 76 years. She had been ill for a long time
and had not been out of doors in a year. Her illness was
aggravated by the death of her son, William Yager, who was
killed in an accident on the Illinois Terminal railroad, being
engineer of the wrecked engine. Her health had steadily declined
from the date of her son's sudden death. She was born in Baden,
Germany on July 13, 1830, and came to Alton when she was 16
years of age, where she resided sixty years. She was twice
married. Her first husband was Francis Yeager, by whom she has
two children living, Frank Yeager of this city, and Gustave
Yeager of St. Louis. She also leaves two children by her second
marriage, Leo Geohringer of St. Paul, and Julius, of this city.
She resided at 1723 Alby street for many years. Her first
husband died forty-four years ago, and her second husband eight
years ago. She has been a highly respected lady all her life in
Alton, a good neighbor and one of those mothers whose memory
will be cherished by her children as long as life lasts. The
funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the
family home.
GOEKEN, CLEMENT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 6,
1913
Clement A. Goeken, aged 73 years, died Wednesday night
at 11:35 o'clock at his home, 520 East Fourth street, after a
long and severe sickness from Bright's disease and
complications. He was born in Westphalen, Germany, and came to
Alton when he was fourteen years old. He had lived here since
and he so comported himself as to gain the esteem and respect of
citizens generally. He was a cooper by trade and worked at that
for many years, and being a good workman and economical man he
accumulated a competence. He was a devout Catholic and was a
charter member of St. Boniface Branch of the Western Catholic
Union, and also of the St. Joseph's Society of St. Mary's
Church, and both of the societies will attend his funeral in a
body. He is survived by his wife and four sons, George, Albert,
Joe and Victor Goeken, and two daughters, Mrs. Charles Seibert
and Miss Clara Goeken. Seven grandchildren also survive. He was
a good citizen and a devoted husband and father, and those left
behind will have the sincere sympathy of the community. The
funeral will be held Saturday morning at 9 o'clock from St.
Mary's Church, and burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
GOEKEN, VICTOR V./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
28, 1914
Affliated With the Noll Bakery
The death of
Victor V. Goeken occurred at 4:15 o'clock Monday morning at his
home, 504 East Fifth street. To most of the public the fact that
Mr. Goeken's illness had taken a sudden turn for the worse was a
surprise. He had been sick for six weeks, and the news from his
sick chamber of late had been that he was showing much
improvement and was able to sit up and be around his room, and
take more nourishment. There was good reason for hoping that he
would soon be able to be out again, and his condition was being
watched by a large number of people in Alton who admired him
intensely. Saturday afternoon about 3 o'clock he began to show
indications of suffering a backset, and from that time the
decline was rapid. A consultation of doctors was held late in
the afternoon, and the result was that the opinion was given
that there was no chance for his recovery. He sank steadily
until this morning when the end came. The death of Mr. Goeken
removes one of the most successful of Alton's young business
men. He has been connected with the Noll bakery since he was a
boy. He possessed remarkable business ability and he made many
friends. His rule of absolute integrity in all his business
dealings won for him the complete confidence of all who knew
him. He was one of Alton's most pushing, progressive business
men, though but twenty-seven years of age, and he had
contributed a very large share toward the upbuilding of the Noll
bakery, of which he was treasurer....Mr. Goeken took up his work
with the Noll company when he was but 16 years of age, and has
been with the company ever since....He was born in Alton and
spent all his life here. He was married about two years ago to
Miss Mazie Buese, and his married life had been of the very
happiest character. He leaves beside his wife, his mother, Mrs.
Catherine Goeken; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Seibert and Miss
Clara Goeken; and three brothers, George W. Goeken, Al H.
Goeken, and Joseph G. Goeken. The funeral of Mr. Goeken will be
held at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from St. Mary's Church.
Members of the Knights of Columbus will probably attend the
funeral in a body.
GOETZ, CHRISTINE/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 1, 1883
Mr. Christian Goetz has been deeply afflicted in the death of
his daughter, Christine, which occurred a few days ago. This is
the second child he has lost with the same disease (typhoid
fever) within a few weeks.
GOETZ, HERMAN/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, October 4, 1883
From Upper Alton - Herman Goetz, son of Mr. C. Goetz, an
estimable young man of 21 years, died Wednesday morning from
typhoid fever. The funeral was attended from the family
residence today.
GOFF, ELIZABETH (nee RUTLEDGE)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 22, 1919
Mrs. Elizabeth Rutledge Goff,
73 years old, died yesterday at 7:30 p.m. at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Edward Zaugg, 135 East Tenth street, following an
illness of about two months. She died of a complication of
diseases. On December 8 Mrs. Goff celebrated her 73rd birthday,
the same day her brother, John Rutledge of Collinsville,
celebrated his 63rd birthday. It was on the day following that
Mrs. Goff became ill. She grew rapidly worse, until recently
slight hopes were held for her recovery. Her son, Lieut. Robert
B. Goff, who has been in France, arrived home Feb. 13, having
landed in America on Feb. 12. It was feared the young officer
would be unable to see his mother before she died. It was said
that only the determination of Mrs. Goff to see her son, whom
she knew to be on his way home, delayed her death. Mrs. Goff was
born in County Durham, England, and came to America at the age
of 10 years. She was united in marriage in 1865 to Andrew J.
Goff, being before her marriage Miss Elizabeth Rutledge. Mrs.
Goff was a resident of Alton for more than 20 years, and lived
here at times before taking up permanent residence. Mrs. Goff
was a prominent member of the Baptist Church until recent years
when her hearing became affected. Before that time she was an
ardent church worker. She was affiliated with the First Baptist
Church. She was well known and loved by the older residents of
the city, and enjoyed the friendship of many people by whom she
was loved, and to whom her death will cause sadness. Mrs. Goff
was also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Goff is
survived by six daughters, one son, four sisters, one brother,
and nine grandchildren. Her husband died in 1____ [1908?]. The
daughters surviving are: Mrs. Edward Zaugg of Alton; Mrs.
Elizabeth Koller; Mrs. D. A. Davis; and Mrs. F. I. Mayor of
Omaha, Neb.; and Mrs. Gertrude Brennen; and Mrs. Kate M. Davis
of Los Angeles, Cal. Her son is Lieut. Robert B. Goff, who
recently returned from France; and the sisters are: Mrs. Addie
Cartwright and Mrs. Jennie Frazier, both of Los Angeles; Mrs.
Sarah Jones of Milwaukee, Wis., and Mrs. Mollie Percival of
Alton. The brother is John Rutledge of Collinsville. The funeral
will be tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home of Edward
Zaugg, 125 East Tenth street, and interment will be in Oakwood
cemetery. Services at the home will be conducted by Rev. M. W.
Twing, pastor of the First Baptist Church. The Alton lodge of
the Daughters of Rebekah, of which Mrs. Goff was an old and
honored member, will attend the services in a body, assembling
at the Edward Zaugg home at 2:30 o'clock. The Rebekah's will
hold short services at the cemetery.
GOFF, UNKNOWN WIFE OF PETER/Source: Alton Telegraph, February
5, 1885
The burial of Mrs. Peter Goff of Omaha took place at
Upper Alton Cemetery at 10 o’clock Friday. Rev. F. M. S. Taylor,
Rector of St. Paul’s, officiated at the grave.
GOLASH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 13, 1918
A foreigner by the name of Golash died this morning at the
Emergency Hospital after an illness of ten days with influenza.
Golash resided in Wood River, but leaves a wife and five
children in Europe. He was employed at the Standard Oil Company,
and his employers will attend to the funeral arrangements.
GOLDSTEIN, DAVID/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 20,
1909
David Goldstein, an old peddler, died at St. Joseph's
hospital yesterday. He was 66 years of age and leaves one son,
so far as known, at Portland, Oregon. Alton members of the
Jewish faith took charge of him, and when he was refused
admittance to hospitals elsewhere got him into St. Joseph's
hospital at Alton, where they saw that he was given proper care
during the last three weeks of his life. The body will be taken
to St. Louis for burial tomorrow.
GOLIKE, CARRIE A./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 25, 1883
Mrs. Charles Golike of Fosterburg died Sunday morning, after a
protracted illness from consumption. She leaves a husband and
two children, the youngest but a few months old. The funeral
will be attended from her late residence. She was about 30 years
of age.
GOLIKE, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 1,
1919
The funeral of Charles Golike was held this afternoon at
2:30 o'clock from the Baptist Church at Fosterburg, and services
were conducted by Rev. F. C. Weber of Shurtleff College, pastor
of the Fosterburg Church.
GOLIKE, HEINRICH KONRAD/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 11,
1875
From Fosterburg – Among the recent deaths is Heinrich
Konrad Golike, who died February 25, 1875. He was born September
6, 1818. Mr. Golike was buried in the Fosterburg Cemetery.
GOLIKE, HULDAH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1909
The body of Miss Huldah Golike, who died in Kansas City, is
expected to arrive in Alton this evening and the funeral
services will be held tomorrow at Fosterburg, her old home. Miss
Golike belonged to a well known family at Fosterburg. Rev.
Simeon Hussey will conduct the funeral service.
GOLLEDGE, JAMES B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 17,
1909
James B. Golledge, aged 19, died at St. Joseph's
hospital yesterday afternoon after undergoing a surgical
operation for appendicitis. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. James
Golledge of 711 east Fifth street. The funeral will be held
Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
GOLLMER, ADAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2, 1904
Adam Gollmer, aged 61, died Sunday morning at his home on Ridge
street after a three months illness from cancerous trouble in
his stomach. Mr. Gollmer was a well known harness maker, and
during the forty years that he lived in Alton he was employed in
the one shop, that now owned by Alex Weaver, where he was
foreman. He was faithful to his employer and trusted implicitly.
As a workman he had few equals, and his employer said that
probably there was not another such as he in the state of
Illinois. He leaves his wife and three children, Mrs. Lou Joyce,
Mrs. Josph Fitzgerald, and Mrs. Emanuel Apelquist.
GOLLMER, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 8,
1908
Mrs. Elizabeth Gollmer, widow of Adam Gollmer, aged 53,
died Sunday evening at 6 o'clock at her home on Fourth street
near Ridge, after a brief illness. Mrs. Gollmer's death was a
great surprise and a shock to her many friends and her
relatives. She had been ill, suffering from a very painful
malady for a week, but it was not expected that her death would
result. She had been deeply interested in the work of the German
Evangelical church for many years and was president of the
Ladies society of that church, where she had proved herself very
efficient and one of the best workers in the church. Mrs.
Gollmer was well known throughout the east end of the city. For
many years she had been conducting a boarding house and was well
known as an excellent housekeeper. She was the mother of a
family of the children, most of whom left Alton. Her husband
died in recent years and he too was well known. When the news of
the death of Mrs. Gollmer was given out, the ladies of the
Evangelical church immediately cancelled arrangements for their
picnic and supper, which was to have been held today at Alton
park. Mrs. Gollmer leaves three daughters, Mrs. Emanuel
Apelquist and Mrs. Joseph Fitzgerald of Denver, and Mrs. James
Joyce of Alton. Mrs. Apelquist will come to the funeral, but her
sister is too ill to make the trip. The time of the funeral will
be announced tomorrow.
GOOCH, MAMIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 29,
1908
The funeral of Mamie Gooch, the young girl who took
sixty grains of corrosive sublimate a week ago because of love
trouble, took place this afternoon from the Cathedral. Services
were conducted by Rev. Father Fennessey, and interment was in
Greenwood cemetery.
GOOD, MARTHA M./Source: Alton Telegraph, August 27, 1852
Died in the American Bottom on Tuesday, August 19th, after a
protracted illness, Martha M. Good, consort of Jacob Good.
GOODELL, NELLIE (nee FISH)/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday,
February 9, 1893
Mrs. Nellie Fish, wife of Mr. L. E. Goodell,
died Friday morning at the residence of her mother on Belle
street, at 11:45 o'clock. Mrs. Goodell had been ill about a
week. The sad news was a severe shock to Mrs. Goodell's many
friends in Alton, where, since early childhood, she has been a
favorite with all who knew her. It is a little less than a year
since her marriage, when she entered upon the new life full of
hope and joy. Besides her husband, Mrs. Goodell leaves a
bereaved mother, sister and brother to mourn her early death.
"Sleep safe, beloved, we sometimes say, But have no time to
charm away Sad dreams which through the eyelids creep. But never
doleful dream again, Shall break the happy slumber, when He
giveth his beloved sleep." The funeral of Nellie, wife of Mr. L.
E. Goodell, took place Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the
Cathedral. The church was filled with friends who came to pay a
last token of respect to one who in life had been a dear friend.
A profusion of flowers, tributes of esteem of many friends,
graced the casket containing the form of one who had so recently
been a fair young and devoted wife. The services were conducted
by Rev. Father Spaulding. A long cortege followed the remains to
their last resting place in Greenwood Cemetery. The pallbearers
were: Messrs. Harry Malcom, B. B. Harris, Charles Haagen, David
Sullivan, Will Greenwood and J. C. Bramhall.
GOODLET, JAMES/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, December
30, 1891
James Goodlet, who has been a character in and about
the city for over a quarter of a century died at the county farm
Sunday [Dec. 27] from general debility, his constitution being
entirely broken down. He was about 6_ years of age and lived
here probably thirty years. He has been a county charge for
several years.
GOODMAN, HUGH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 13,
1899
Upper Alton News - Hugh, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs.
William Goodman, died last night at 8:30 o'clock from spasms
induced by whooping cough. The child was two years and six
months of age. The hour for the funeral has not been decided.
GOODMAN, JAMES/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 11, 1862
James Goodman, a farmer living out on the Piasa, came to town on
Saturday with some produce, and returned home in the evening.
Sunday morning, he ate his breakfast, went into a room and laid
down on a lounge, and when noticed again, was dead, having taken
chloroform, a bottle of which was in his hands. No cause is
known for the act.
GOODMAN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 16,
1901
William Goodman, a glassblower, died this morning at his
home on Garden street, Upper Alton, after an illness of two
weeks with pneumonia. His wife is now ill with the same disease,
and her recovery is a matter of doubt. Five years ago Mr.
Goodman came to Alton from Scranton, Pa., and secured work in
the glass works. He was an industrious worker and was highly
esteemed by all who knew him. While living in Alton two of his
children died. Relatives are expected from Scranton, and on
their arrival the time of funeral will be set.
GOODPASTURE, LOUISE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
25, 1911
Mrs. Louise Goodpasture died yesterday at four
o'clock from complication of diseases. She has two sons in the
city, Elmer and Oscar. The body will be shipped to Gillespie
Monday, where burial will take place.
GOODWIN, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
27, 1901
Mrs. Elizabeth Goodwin, widow of Charles J. Goodwin,
died this morning at 1 o'clock at the home of her son, James
Goodwin, 1106 Main Street. Two weeks ago Mrs. Goodwin sustained
severe injuries from a fall, and in her enfeebled condition due
to old age she did not regain her usual health. She was born in
South Carolina, and was 71 years of age. She came to Alton 39
years ago to make her home and raised her children here. She
leaves six children: James and Richard Goodwin, and Mrs.
Elizabeth Leonard, Mrs. Jennie Markey and Mrs. Sara Brooker. The
funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
home of her son, James Goodwin.
GOODWIN, EMMA/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 12, 1883
From
Dorsey – Mrs. Emma Goodwin, wife of Ernest Goodwin of Dorsey,
died on May 19. Mrs. Goodwin had suffered a long time, but she
bore her sickness without a murmur, and patiently awaited the
time to come when she might go to meet her little one gone
before.
GOODWIN, JAMES S./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 7,
1902
James S. Goodwin, a well known carpenter, died Monday
morning at 2 o'clock after an illness of several weeks from
liver trouble. Mr. Goodwin was born in Alton in 1862. Besides
his wife and one child, one brother and two sisters survive him.
The funeral will take place from his late residence tomorrow at
2 p.m.
GOOSEBERRY, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1873
Accidentally Shot
Last Thursday night, a youth about 15 years
of age, known here as Bill Gooseberry, who for the last year or
two had been stopping with Madam Caswell in Edwardsville, called
about 9 o’clock at the drugstore and dispensary of Dr. Pogue on
Washington Avenue, the store at the time being in charge of a
lad some 10 or 12 years old, by the name of Albert Sutter,
stepson of Frank J. Haag of Edwardsville. The visitor being
somewhat ollicious, discovered a revolver and proceeded to cock
it, remove the cylinder, etc. Upon replacing the cylinder, he
was unable to let down the hammer. In proceeding to do so, the
pistol was accidentally discharged, striking Gooseberry in the
head and killing him instantly. The report soon brought other
persons in. Esquire Chapman summoned a Coroner’s jury, and the
case and verdict were substantially as above set forth, and
although the deceased may be better dead than alive, this is
another one of the fatal results growing out of the habit of
keeping deadly weapons too convenient.
GORE, LOUISA/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 14, 1911
George H. Gore and wife of 1714 Bozza street, Alton, are at
Fairmount, Ind., where they went to attend the funeral of Mr.
Gore's mother, Mrs. Louisa Gore, wife of William Gore of that
city. Mr. Gore started for Fairmount before his mother died, but
arrived after her death. Her husband was one of the original
glassblowers in Alton and worked for the Illinois Glass Co. on
Belle street when the factories were there. Mr. Gore is still
living. The couple were born in England and were married in St.
Louis. Eighteen years ago they moved to Fairmount. Their son,
George, is a glassblower in Alton. The funeral was at Fairmount,
Ind., last Sunday. Mrs. Gore is survived by her husband, four
sons and one daughter, George of Alton, William Jr. of
Milwaukee, Arthur and Alfred and Miss Mary Gore of Fairmount.
Mr. and Mrs. George Gore will return home in a few days.
GORMAN, DANIEL SR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 2,
1906
Daniel Gorman Sr. died this morning at 3 o'clock after a
week's illness from asthma and other ailments. Mr. Gorman had
been in feeble health for two years. He was 80 years of age, and
was born in County Limerich, Ireland. He came to Alton in 1846
and was employed in the building of the Chicago and Alton
railway, having worked under the late William Huskinson. His
wife and seven children, five sons and two daughters, survive
him. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at one o'clock
from the residence, 709 Semple street, to the Cathedral.
GORMAN, PATRICK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 13,
1922
Patrick J. (Patsy) Gorman died at 2 a.m., Sunday, at his
home, 716 Semple street, following an illness of more than a
year. He was 42 years old. Mr. Gorman was born in Alton and
lived here his entire life. He was formerly a railroad man. He
is survived by four brothers, John H. Gorman of Houston, Tex.;
Dan, David and James of Alton; and two sisters, Mrs. Ellen
Cahill and Miss Mary Gorman, both of Alton. Funeral services
will be at the Cathedral at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and interment will
be in Greenwood cemetery.
GORSUCH, FRANCES L./Source: Alton Telegraph, March 16, 1849
Died in Alton on the 14th instant, Frances L., infant daughter
of Dr. M. Gorsuch.
GOSSRAU, REINHOLD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September
20, 1916
Prominent Alton Musician and Business Man Dies
Reinhold Gossrau died Tuesday evening at 6 o' clock at his
residence on Ninth street after an illness of about two years.
Dropsy was the immediate cause of his death. As told in the
Telegraph Tuesday evening, the well known bandmaster and
business man collapsed Tuesday morning and remained unconscious
all day. The end came without any rally, and Mr. Gossrau did not
regain consciousness. Reinhold Gossrau was born in Schloelen, in
the province of Saxony, Germany, December 5, 1845. At the age of
14 he left school and began a special study of vocal and
instrumental music which he pursued for four years. He served in
the German army as a member of the band of the fifty-seventh
regiment, and was at the battles of Sadowa. He received his
discharge in 1868, and then came to America and to Alton, where
he had lived ever since. He became a member of the Maennerchor
soon after his arrival, and a few years later he became its
leader, a post he held for many years. He became at once a
leader in musical circles in Alton, and more than one band was
the result of his hard work. He leaves as a monument, the most
enduring of the organizations he had in charge, the White
Hussars band. He was one of the founders of the Alton Germania
Building and Loan Association, which was started October 25,
1890. Mr. Gossrau married Katherine Hermann in Alton in 1872.
The couple had five children, Otto J. Gossrau of St. Louis; Emil
E. Gossrau of Temple, Tex.; Walter and Hermann Gossrau and Mrs.
O. H. Karmer. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2
o'clock from the home on Ninth street. Services will be
conducted by Rev. E. L. Mueller of the German Evangelical
Church. Mr. Gossrau was a man of an intensely positive
character. He was of the military frame of mind, the impressions
of his earlier days in the German army having left a permanent
influence on his mind. He was very thorough in whatever he did.
In his work of conducting the various musical organizations in
which he held membership, Mr. Gossrau had his whole heart and
soul wrapped up. He was known as a skillful conductor. He had
one band many years ago, which bore his name, and he had
something to do at some time or other with every band that has
been organized in Alton since he came to the city. The Alton
Maennerchor owed much to the zeal of Mr. Gossrau. Though he was
not one of the original members, but two of them, August
Neermann and John Koch, being still in the organization, he was
always recognized as one of the leading spirits. His death will
be felt in Alton and particularly in his part of the city where
he was a leader in many lines of thought and action, and where
he had a strong influence. In his long career as a business man,
Mr. Gossrau had a very honorable record, and he was successful
too. All of the children but Emil Gossrau were here at the time
of Mr. Gossrau's death, and Emil is expected to arrive tomorrow
morning from Temple, Tex. The following are the honorary pall
bearers: Henry Lutz, August Kock, G. A. Joesting and C. A.
Schlueter. The active pall bearers will be Fred Hoefert, W.
Wilson Otto Gnerich, William Horn, August Luer and M. Mcdonough.
GOTTLEIB, MARY (SISTER MARY ANGELA)/Source: Alton Daily
Telegraph, April 14, 1882
Miss Mary Gottleib, a teacher at
the Ursuline Academy in Alton, known at that institution as
Sister Mary Angela, daughter of the late Joseph Gottleib, died
early yesterday morning at the age of 25 years. Her funeral took
place from the Academy this morning. Rev. Father Jannsen
officiating. The remains were buried at North Alton.
GOTTLOB, BEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 19, 1917
Commits Suicide by Drinking Carbolic Acid
Ben Gottlob, a
dweller at Yager Park, committed suicide by drinking carbolic
acid just before noon today. His death followed efforts on his
part to bring about the arrest of John Hudspeth on a charge of
disturbing his peace. Gottlob procured a divorce in the City
court last Saturday from his wife, on a charge of adultery. He
named John Hudspeth as correspondent. Gottlob had been trying to
bring about the arrest of his wife's best friend, and had sworn
out a warrant for Hudspeth a month ago on the peace disturbance
charge. Hudspeth had not been found by the officers. This
morning, about an hour before he killed himself, Gottlob met
Officer Magee in the East End and conversed with him. He said he
wanted to get the warrant served and he told the officer that he
would accompany him after dinner to the place where Hudspeth
could be found. The officer was surprised afternoon, when he was
ready to go to meet Gottlob and make the arrest, that his man
was dead. Gottlob had worried so much over the necessity of
losing his wife and her alleged partiality for Hudspeth, that he
could not endure it any longer. He leaves four children, the
youngest 4 years of age. These had been given to him by the
court order Saturday, when the divorce was granted. The care of
the four children was a complication in his domestic affairs
that Gottlob could not solve. Mrs. Gottlob, it was said at the
City Court this afternoon, made no defense against the charges
her husband made, merely entering her appearance and making it
possible for the divorce to be granted. She made no effort to
get the custody of the children. Gottlob, after talking to
Officer Magee, went to his home and standing on his porch drank
the acid and was found in a dying condition. Deputy Coroner
Bauer was called to hold an inquest this afternoon. Gottlob had
promised to procure clothing for the children this morning, and
went to the home where the children were staying. Sitting on the
front porch of the home of his divorced wife, he drained the
contents of a one-half ounce bottle of carbolic acid, which he
had brought with him. A physician and the ambulance were called
at once by the former wife. By the time they got him in the
ambulance to remove him to the hospital, he was dead. The body
was turned over at once to Deputy Coroner William Bauer, and the
inquest will be held at 5 o'clock this evening. The funeral will
be held at 1:30 o'clock from the house in Yager Park to the City
Cemetery.
GOTTLOB, LOUISA GLADYS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 5, 1911
Louisa Gladys Gottlob, aged 3 months, died
at the home of her uncle, William Gottlob, 815 east Third
street, Sunday, and the funeral was yesterday from St. Mary's
church. The family were visiting at the Gottlob home when the
child was taken ill.
GOTTLOB, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 22, 1909
Mrs. Mary Gottlob, aged 52, died at St. Joseph's hospital
yesterday morning after an illness with dropsy. She was moved to
the hospital a month ago by Mrs. Demuth. The funeral was held
this afternoon from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louisa Singer
in Yager Park.
GOTTLOB, UNKNOWN DAUGHTER OF F./Source: Alton Telegraph,
January 6, 1871
On August 3, 1870, a young daughter of Mrs.
F. Gottlob fell into a kettle of boiling water and was scalded
to death.
GOTTLOB, WILLIAM ADAM/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 29, 1877
The case of the People vs. Philip Deitz, charged with the
killing of William Gottlob on October 7, 1876, in Alton, came
before the Circuit Court at Edwardsville on March 21, his Honor
Judge Snyder presiding. Hon. A. W. Hope, assisted the State’s
Attorney, C. L. Cook, in the prosecution, while Hon. J. H.
Yager, conducted the defense. Considerable time was consumed in
impaneling the jury, and the regular panel was exhausted before
this result was achieved. The trial lasted the greater portion
of the day, and was ably prosecuted and defended, every inch of
ground being contested. The evidence presented was substantially
the same as that brought out at the preliminary examination
before Justices Quarton and Noonon, on October 11, 1876, with
the addition of the evidence of the accused, Philip Deitz, who
was called to the stand by the defense. Mr. Deitz testified that
on the night of October 7, 1876, he was assisting Mink Oben, who
had been beaten insensible by William Gottlob, the deceased, and
that when a little distance west of the spring on Second Street
[Broadway] in Hunterstown, he was pursued and attacked by
William Gottlob. Accused also testified that he was unarmed at
the time, except a small pocket knife, and that if he struck the
fatal blow, it was while in a state of partial insensibility
from a blow received on the side of the head from William
Gottlob.
A number of prominent residents of Alton and
Madison County then testified to the good reputation of the
accused as to peace and quietness, prior to the unfortunate
affair in question. After argument by the attorneys and
instruction by the court, the case was given to the jury, who
retired, and after due consideration, returned a verdict of not
guilty, and the accused was discharged.
NOTES:
William
Adam Gottlob was born December 18, 1843, and was the son of
Frederich Wilhelm Gottlob and Fredericka Deitz Gottlob. The
mother and children immigrated to American on the ship, Roland,
arriving in New Orleans, December 18, 1854. The father and older
children arrived earlier in December of 1853. William enlisted
in 1862 as a Private in the Civil War, and was promoted to
Corporal. He was in the 82nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry,
Company G, and was mustered out in 1865. On October 9, 1876, he
was hurt in an altercation, and died from his wounds. He was
buried in the Alton City Cemetery.
GOTTSCHALK, EDWARD D. (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 27, 1914
Wood River Physician Dies
Dr. Edward D. Gottschalk, aged 34, died Thursday night at St.
Joseph's hospital. Pneumonia complicated the troubles from which
he was suffering, and caused an earlier end to his sickness than
might have resulted. Dr. Gottschalk was a very successful
physician at Wood River and Benbow City. He formerly had an
office in Alton, but when the Standard Oil Co. built its
refinery he settled in the new community. He belonged to a
wealthy Springfield family, and had many friends in the State
Capital. He was attended in his dying hours by relatives, but he
was unable to recognize any of them. The body was taken to
Springfield, Ill. for burial, and the funeral will be held
there.
GOUDIE, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 15, 1883
The funeral of this estimable lady took place Saturday afternoon
at two o’clock from the family residence, corner of Seventh and
Alton Streets, with a large attendance of mourning relatives and
friends.
GOUDIE, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 17,
1910
James Goudie, aged 81, one of the best known of the
oldest residents of Alton, died very unexpectedly at St.
Joseph's hospital Saturday morning at 6 o'clock. Mr. Goudie was
hurt one week ago by falling down a flight of stairs at his
home, Seventh and Belle streets. He sustained a bad scalp wound
which bared his head almost completely, but the attending
surgeon said he was recovering. He had no fever from the time he
was hurt and Friday evening was apparently in fine condition,
being able to be up and around. Early Saturday morning his
children were notified he was dying, and they were with him at
the end. Mr. Goudie was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and came
to America in 1867. He followed the trade of iron molder for
many years, until age prevented him. He leaves three sons,
Charles, James and Thomas Goudie, of Alton, and one daughter,
Miss Annie Goudie of Slater, Missouri. The funeral will be held
Monday afternoon from the home of his son, James Goudie, 824
east Fourth street, and will be private. Burial will be in City
Cemetery. Mr. Goudie was married twice, and both of his wives
are dead.
GOULD, EDMUND A./Source: Alton Telegraph, January 18, 1877
Civil War Veteran; Prisoner at Andersonville
Mr. Edmund A.
Gould, brother of Mr. John B. Gould and of Mrs. J. C. Bramhall,
died January 10 of pneumonia at the residence of Mr. Bramhall;
aged 42 years. He had been sick since New Year’s. The deceased
was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but Alton had been his
home since childhood, his parents having removed here in 1837.
Mr. Gould learned the bricklayers’ trade, and followed it until
the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the Thirteenth
Illinois Cavalry, in which he served creditably 4 years; 11
months of the time having been spent as a prisoner at
Andersonville. At the close of the war, he re-enlisted in the
4th, U.S. Infantry, and spent five years in service on the
plains. Very few men have seen more active service or endured
more of danger and privation.
GOULD, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 6,
1905
Mrs. Elizabeth Gould, wife of John B. Gould, died
Wednesday evening at 6:30 o'clock at her residence, Fifth and
Alby streets, after an illness dating from the day previous at
noon, when she was stricken with an apoplectic stroke and became
unconscious. Mrs. Gould had been an invalid for forty years, and
many a time during the nearly half century of her affliction she
was near death's door, but in the end the malady from which she
suffered most, asthma, did not prove fatal. The apoplectic
attack was unexpected, as she had never had any premonitory
symptoms. Her aged partner in life, who is lying very ill and
was in an adjoining room, was able to see his wife but once
after she was stricken, and was unable to look upon her face
after her death. Mrs. Gould was 81 years of age and had lived in
Alton nearly all her life. She was born in Staunton, Ill. She
was married twice, the second time to John B. Gould. Four
children were born of her first marriage, but all of them
preceded her many years ago to the grave. During her long period
of married life with Mr. Gould, 47 years, Mrs. Gould was ever a
devoted wife, and her husband was as devoted as she was. The
aged couple were inseparable in their declining years, and each
seemed to be necessary for the happiness and pleasure of the
other. Their parting is a sad one, indeed, and the death of Mrs.
Gould comes as a heavy blow to the aged survivor as he is very
ill, but is conscious and knows what has occurred. The funeral
will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home.
[Burial was in City Cemetery]
GOULD, JANE/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 17, 1865
Died in Alton on the 11th inst., Mrs. Jane Gould, aged 65.
GOULD, JOHN B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 3,
1905
The death of John B. Gould, Wednesday afternoon,
removes a well known figure from Alton life. His death followed
that of his wife just four weeks, after a married life of 47
years. On the death of his wife Mr. Gould, who was then very ill
from the weakness of old age, gave up all desire to live and
frequently expressed his desire to die, as he was now alone in
the world except for some distant relatives. John B. Gould was
born at Providence, Rhode Island, and was 84 years of age. He
had been a resident of Alton for more than fifty years, and
during that time he maintained an active interest in the
advancement of Alton, and was especially interested in all lines
of politics. He never held an office himself, but it was his
boast that since he became of age he had never lost an
opportunity to vote. Even when advancing age with its resultant
feebleness made it a hardship to go to the polls, he would never
fail to go and cast his vote, and many times did he totter
feebly the six blocks from his home to the polling place to cast
his ballot. Few people would make an effort to exercise a
franchise if it required two hours to walk the distance he had
to go, but Mr. Gould did not allow this to interfere with him.
Mr. Gould had been in the railroad business many years prior to
his retirement. He was a conductor on the Chicago and Alton for
many years. He held the position of livestock agent for the
Alton at East St. Louis for a long period. Mr. Gould, by
industry and frugality, accumulated a neat competence to
maintain him in his declining age. During the last month of his
life he was attended by a niece of his deceased wife, Miss Anna
Grant of Staunton. Mr. Gould's mind remained bright up until the
last few days of his life. He was well posted in current events
of the day and could discuss them intelligently with anyone. To
those who knew him best, he was a valued friend, but their
sorrow over his death will be tempered with the knowledge that
he was alone and that it was best that he should go. The funeral
will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home,
Fifth and Alby street. [Burial was in City Cemetery]
GOULD, K. O./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 31, 1919
Mrs. L. B. Kolk of Upper Alton has received word of the death at
Webster Groves, Mo., of K. O. Gould, formerly of Alton. He died
on July 20. Mr. Gould was well known by the older residents of
Alton. When a young man he learned the printing trade on the
Telegraph, and while a young man went to St. Louis where he
engaged in the dry goods business, and was a very successful man
and had a large estate. Mr. Gould was a civil war veteran.
During the war he was a comrade of Senator Ed Beall of Alton. He
leaves his widow and a daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Fleming of St.
Louis. He leaves an aunt, Mrs. Strong, who lives in Alton. He
was 70 years old.
GOULD, REUBEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 18,
1910
Reuben Gould, aged 81, died suddenly Thursday evening at
the home of his son, Ellis W. Gould, 802 Langdon street, from
heart failure. Mr. Gould has been in failing health for some
time, due to weakness of great age. His death was very
unexpected, as he had been down stairs for supper Thursday
evening. Soon afterward his heart action collapsed. Death was
due to a general breaking down of his physical strength. Mr.
Gould was born in New York state, but lived in Michigan for many
years. He was engaged in farming. About four years ago he came
to Alton to live with his son. He leaves three children, Ellis
Gould, with whom he lived, Mrs. Luella Moore of Cheyenne, Wyo.,
and Harry Gould of Seattle. The funeral services were held this
afternoon at the Gould residence, and the body will be taken to
Ionia, Mich. for burial. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Gould will leave
this evening for Ionia with the body.
GOULDING, EDWARD H./Source: Alton Telegraph, June 27, 1895
Founder of Goulding Jewelers
At midnight last Wednesday,
Edward H. Goulding passed away after an illness of about one
month. Mr. Goulding was taken ill May 25th, with what afterwards
developed into jaundice, and has been confined to his bed, with
the exception of the first few days, since that date.
Mr.
Goulding’s name has been associated with Alton’s business
interests for nearly or quite 45 years. During all that time he
has been known as honorable and upright, progressive and
energetic. He has won success, accumulated a competence, and
inspired the respect and admiration of all who have had dealing
with him.
Mr. Goulding was born in Grafton,
Massachusetts, November 16, 1827. While employed in a jewelry
store in Boston, at the age of 15, he and a fellow employee
bought a telegraph instrument and learned telegraphy. Operators
at that time were much in demand in the West. Before he was 21,
he went to Cairo, Illinois to take a position as an operator.
From there he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and from there he
came to Alton where he settled, starting a jewelry store, which
profession he had learned in Boston. He began business by the
purchase of David E. Brown’s stock, removing it to the one-story
row of buildings on Third Street, occupying the one now used by
Miss Roach. He has continued steadily in the jewelry business
since that date. Occupying for a time a store in Root’s building
on Belle Street, and from thence to the present location, which
he has occupied for 23 years.
Besides his wife, Mr.
Goulding leaves three sons, Edward P. and Frank N., of Chicago,
and Charles Leroy “Roy” of Alton. He has also two brothers in
Massachusetts, Charles F. of Peabody, and Lorenzo H. of Grafton.
He also has a sister living in West Millberry, Massachusetts.
At 10 o’clock Sunday morning the funeral of the late E. H.
Goulding took place at the home on Prospect Street. The
assemblage of friends of which deceased had so many filled the
house. Rev. W. M. Backus of the Unitarian Church conducted the
services in an impressive manner, and spoke words of consolation
to the members of the bereaved family. The only music was an
organ voluntary, “Flotow’s Prayer,” which was a favorite of the
deceased. The services at the grave were short and were closed
by prayer. The pallbearers were Messrs. D. R. Sparks, J. J.
Brenholt, E. P. Wade, Samuel Pitts, George Cutter, and Ellis
Barnard.
The Goulding Brothers of Alton will conduct the
jewelry store of the late E. H. Goulding. Mr. Roy Goulding has
resigned his position with E. F. Deterding & Co. to take charge
of the store.
Alton Evening Telegraph, July 9, 1895
The jewelry store owned by the late E. H. Goulding was re-opened
for business yesterday. An inventory of the stock has been
taken, which has been purchased by Edward P. and Roy L.
Goulding. The business will be continued at the old stand under
the name of E. H. Goulding’s Sons.
GOULDING, EDWARD PRICE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 17, 1909
C. L. Goulding today received a telegram
announcing the death of his brother, Edward Price Goulding, this
morning at St. Joseph, Michigan. Mr. Goulding was the oldest son
of Edward H. Goulding, who established a jewelry store in Alton
in the late fifties, which is still known as "Goulding's Son's."
Edward P. Goulding was born in Alton and lived here for many
years. He served four years in the United States Navy, on the
warship Galena. After getting out of the navy, Ed returned to
Alton, where later he formed a partnership with his brother, C.
L. Goulding, in the jewelry business under the firm name of E.
H. Goulding's Sons. Some years ago he went to Freeport and began
a jewelry store there. Five years ago he suffered a stroke of
paralysis from which he did not fully recover. He left Freeport
and went to St. Joseph, Michigan, and went on a fruit farm for
the benefit of his health. His brother, C. L. Goulding, visited
Edward about two weeks ago, and found him in his usual health,
and heard no more from him until the telegram came this morning.
C. L. Goulding thinks that his brother died very suddenly,
possibly from another stroke of paralysis. He was 49 years of
age. A year ago last Christmas Edward visited Alton. While here,
he brought a communication to the Telegraph which was published
of a dream he had, in which he visited the former business
places of Alton with which he was familiar when a boy, and found
all the old time owners in the discharge of their accustomed
duties. Mr. Goulding's widow survives him, also two brothers, C.
L. of Alton and Frank of Chicago. During his period of service
in the United States navy, Mr. Goulding made a trip around the
world and had many interesting experiences.
GOULDING, HANNAH (nee LYON)/Source: Alton Telegraph, August
12, 1880
Wife of Edward H. Goulding, Proprietor of Goulding
Jewelers
Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. E. H. Goulding, and
daughter of Mr. L. W. Lyon of Bethalto, died Sunday night at
11:30 o’clock after a lingering illness of many months’
duration. Deceased had been a great sufferer, and although cared
for with the tenderest attention, and with all the skill that
medical science could suggest, the inevitable end came at the
hour mentioned. Her age was nearly forty-five years. She was a
native of Woodstock, Connecticut, but came to Madison County
with her father’s family at an early age. She was a consistent
member of the Baptist Church of Upper Alton. Mrs. Goulding was a
lady of fine character and amiable disposition, and her death
will prove a great loss to her husband, relatives, and many
friends. She leaves two sons of tender years to miss a mother’s
watchful love and care. The funeral took place from the family
residence on Prospect Street, at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The services
were conducted by Professor J. C. C. Clarke, assisted by Rev.
Dr. Bulkley of Shurtleff College. The bearers were Messrs. D. R.
Sparks, C. Wuerker, Joseph Wills, A. Breath, W. L. Klunk. The
remains were taken to the cemetery of the Lyon family near
Bethalto, accompanied by a large procession of mourners. [Burial
was in the Preuitt Cemetery in Bethalto.]
GRABBE, EUNICE E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November
7, 1916
Mrs. Eunice E. Grabbe, wife of Henry A. F. Grabbe,
the well known contractor, died at ten minutes past twelve today
at the family home at 1104 Grabbe avenue, after an illness of
one year with heart trouble. Mrs. Grabbe, during the year which
she has been troubled with her heart, has not been seriously
ill, and her death came as a hard blow to the many relatives and
friends which she leaves behind. Mrs. Grabbe was 38 years of
age. Mrs. Grabbe is survived by her husband, Henry A. F. Grabbe,
four children: Wilhelmina, Hiram, Cornelius and Olive. She is
survived also by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Partlow. At a
late hour this afternoon funeral arrangements had not been made.
GRACE, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 18,
1918
The funeral of John Grace was held this afternoon at
1:30 o'clock from the home at 2007 State street, services being
conducted by Rev. Theodore Cates of the Wesley Methodist Church.
Interment was in the City Cemetery. Grace, a well known employee
of the Mississippi Sand Company, died Monday morning after a
short illness with pneumonia. He was 27 years of age and is
survived by his wife and three small children. He was the son of
John Grace Sr., and has resided in Alton about twelve years.
GRACE, MELVIN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 11, 1901
2 1/2 Year Old Son Fatally Burned
Mrs. Charles Grace of
637 east Third street was painfully burned about the hands and
face this morning while trying to save her 2 1/2 years old boy,
while the latter was burned so badly that he will die. Mrs.
Grace was engaged in ironing and was heating her irons on a
gasoline stove. In some manner the clothing of the little boy
caught fire; it is thought he must have approached too close at
a time when there was a flare-up of the flames. He ran screaming
out of the kitchen into the yard, his hair and clothing a sheet
of flames, and the distracted and frantic mother ran after him
crying for help. Her cries attracted the neighbors who hurried
to her assistance, but too late to save the boy. The flesh on
his arms, limbs and body below the neck is charred and black,
and much of it dropped off. He cannot live the doctors say. The
mother's hands and arms are badly burned, but these would not
prove fatal. She is completely prostrated, however, over the
fate of her only child, and her condition is pitiable and
dangerous. Dr. Enos and Drs. Bowman and Shaff attended the
injured ones.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 12,
1906
Melvin Grace, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Grace, who was so badly burned Tuesday morning, was relieved of
his suffering about 5 o'clock Tuesday evening. Death is hard
enough when it comes quietly and is expected, but the manner in
which it came in this instance was so terrible as to fill the
neighbors with a horror akin to the awful anguish of the
parents, and pity and sympathy fill the hearts of the friends
for the parents so suddenly and in such an awful manner bereft
of their only child. The burns sustained by Mrs. Grace are not
serious, but her mental sufferings are.
GRADL, JOSEPH M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 14,
1921
Impaled on Post, Joseph Gradl is Fatally Injured
Joseph M. Gradl, aged 24, died at St. Joseph's hospital Saturday
night a few minutes before midnight, from injuries he sustained
by falling with a collapsing scaffold at the plant of the
Standard Oil Company early Saturday afternoon. A piece of
timber, which was standing upright, impaled the young man in the
pelvis and cut the femoral artery which caused the loss of so
much blood that his death resulted less than ten hours after the
accident. He was working on the scaffold when the structure
collapsed and he fell. The end of the piece of timber that was
part of the scaffold was splintered and this afforded a sharp
point which made it easy for the timber to force it's way into
the body of the young man and inflict the fatal injury. Besides
his young bride, to whom he was married only eight months ago,
Mr. Gradl leaves his mother, Mrs. M. Gradl, of St. Louis; three
sisters, Misses Isabel and Kathryn Gradl and Mrs. A. Hilpert;
and three brothers, Martin, Leo and Clement Gradl. He was a very
popular young man and the tragic circumstances under which his
death occurred caused a profound shock in the community. At the
time of the marriage of Mr. Gradl to Miss Frieda Leady in St.
Mary's church eight months ago, the marriage was a big event and
there was a very large crowd to witness the ceremony. The young
people had made their home on Royal Street and were getting
along very happily when the accident occurred Saturday afternoon
with the fatal consequences. Deputy Coroner Streeper impaneled a
jury which will hear testimony as to the circumstances of the
death of the young man and find a verdict. The funeral will be
held Tuesday morning and services will be conducted in St.
Mary's church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph's cemetery.
GRADOLPH, WILLIAM SR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 31, 1907
Death of Prominent Melville Man
William
Gradolph Sr., aged 68(?), died Thursday morning at his home near
Melville, after an illness of three months which began with
kidney trouble. He suffered a stroke of paralysis Sunday morning
and a second stroke this morning. Mr. Gradolph had lived at
Melville for a number of years. He was a carriage painter by
trade, and he followed that business in St. Louis for eighteen
years. His family made their home on the place at Melville
during the time he was in business in St. Louis. After going to
the old farm he continued to follow his trade and was known as
an expert in his line of work. He leaves his wife, whose maiden
name was Stiritz, two children, William E. Gradolph and Miss
Alice Gradolph.
GRADY, EDWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 17,
1900
Edward Grady died last night at his home, 521 East Ninth
street, after a long illness, aged 82 years. Mr. Grady was one
of the oldest citizens of Alton, having come here in 1847, and
resided here continuously. He was born in County Limerick,
Ireland, and came to America when a young man. He was married in
Alton to Mary Meehan, who died seven years ago. Since the death
of his wife, his daughter, Miss Ellen Grady, who lived with him,
has soothed his declining years with her dutiful care. Mr. Grady
was a hard working man all his life, and was active up to the
last few years. Last August, while on his way home from
downtown, he fell at Third and Market streets with what seemed a
paralytic stroke. From that time he was confined to his home and
has been an invalid. He leaves four children - Mrs. Thomas Busey
and J. Grady of St. Louis; Edward Grady of Chicago; and Miss
Ellen Grady of Alton. All the children are here to attend the
funeral, which will be Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. Services
will be in the Cathedral.
GRADY, JOHN E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28,
1921
John E. Grady, 62, died Sunday afternoon at St. Joseph's
Hospital where he had been a patient for several weeks. During
the past year the deceased had been in poor health, and was
taken to the hospital over a month ago for treatment. Since
taken to the hospital, he had been very low, and his death was
momentarily expected. The body was taken to the home of Edward
Grady at 1040 Union street today, and Wednesday morning at 6:30
o'clock will be taken to Bunker Hill for burial. The funeral
service will be held in Bunker Hill, and burial will be in the
family lot. Grady is survived by two daughters, two sons, seven
brothers, and two sisters. The daughters are: Mrs. Fred Rust and
Mrs. Edward Schallenberg, and the sons are: Walter and Edward
Grady. Joseph Grady of Litchfield, James, Hugh and Jeff Grady of
St. Louis, and William Michael and Walter Grady of Alton are the
brothers. Mrs. W. Keirle of Alton and Miss Kate Grady of St.
Louis are his sisters.
GRADY, UNKNOWN WIFE OF GEORGE W./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, May 31, 1919
Many friends attended the funeral of
Mrs. George W. Grady, which was held from the Cathedral Friday
morning at 9:45 o'clock. Requiem mass was sung by Rev. M.
Costello, who also officiated at the graveside. Burial was in
Greenwood Cemetery, under the heavy blanket of flowers. The
pallbearers were Thomas Jones, Thomas Conroy, M. Cummings, John
Carney, Ed Grady and Ed Schallenberg.
GRAF, CAROLYN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 12, 1917
The funeral of Mrs. Carolyn Graf of St. Louis was held at 9
o'clock this morning from the Cathedral to the St. Joseph's
Cemetery. The services were conducted at the church and the
grave by Father Tarrent. The pall bearers were John Meehan,
Michael Maddock, Louis Bissinger, Michael Mahoney, James Barrett
and Jacob Hartman.
GRAFT, MATTIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 10, 1912
Mrs. Mattie Graft, aged 75 years, of Collinsville, died
yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Nazareth home.
GRAHAM, GLADYS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16,
1902
Gladys Graham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Graham
of North street, died Tuesday evening at the family home after a
long illness from spinal meningitis, aged four years. The
funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the
family home, and services will be conducted by Rev. S. D.
McKenny of the Cherry street chapel.
GRAHAM, ISABELLA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 12,
1901
Mrs. Isabella Graham, wife of Robert Graham, died
suddenly Friday morning at the family home on State street. She
had been ill several weeks with pneumonia, but her illness was
not considered alarming. Thursday night she was taken suddenly
worse and died at an early hour Friday morning. She was 50 years
of age and leaves beside her husband, six daughters. The funeral
will [take] place Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, and services
will be held in the First Baptist church of which Mrs. Graham
was a member.
GRAHAM, LIDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 29, 1911
Mrs. Lida Graham, wife of William H. Graham, a well known
glassblower of 1024 east Second street, died yesterday afternoon
at 3:30, after a long illness. She was forty-nine years of age.
The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, and
burial will be from St. Patrick's church to Greenwood cemetery.
GRAHAM, MATHEW/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 19,
1904
Mathew Graham, son of Rev. and Mrs. W. H. Graham, died
Thursday evening at the African Methodist parsonage in Salu,
after long suffering with consumption. Deceased was 31 years
old. The body will be shipped tomorrow morning to Princeton,
Ind., for burial.
GRAHAM, PETER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 23,
1901
The funeral of Peter Graham took place this afternoon
from the home on Ridge street to Milton Cemetery.
GRAHAM, ROBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 18,
1907
Robert Graham, a well known former justice of the peace
and painter, died sometime Wednesday at his home on State
street. Graham lived in a building belonging to him, between
Third and Fourth streets. He was not noticed about his place
during Wednesday, although he was out on the streets Tuesday
afternoon and evening and voted at the election. Capt. Ashlock
and H. H. Sattgast went to investigate a report that Graham was
locked up in his room and was not moving about, and they found
him dead. The matter was reported to Deputy Coroner Keiser. He
held an inquest last night. It is supposed that Graham's death
was due to a general breaking down of his system. He had been
sleeping on a cot in the room where he died, and lived alone.
Graham was an old resident of Alton, and for many years was a
well known citizen, and was a Union soldier during the Civil
war.
GRANER, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 17, 1916
John Graner, a well known farmer in the Moro neighborhood, died
at his home today after an illness of four years with cancer.
Mr. Graner leaves his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Ernest
Weimers and Mrs. Earl Wood. The funeral will be held Wednesday
morning at 10 o'clock from the family home, Rev. C. E. Thompson
officiating.
GRANT, ALEXANDER/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 17, 1836
Died, in this place, on the 16th inst., Mr. Alexander Grant,
recently of Barrett, Vermont, aged about 20. His funeral will
take place this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence of Mr.
R. McFarland. The citizens are invited to attend.
GRANT,
JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 24, 1914
John
Grant, aged 52, died at St. Joseph's Hospital this morning from
pneumonia and the effects of a fall. Last Saturday night while
sick in a room at the Myrtle house under the care of a man paid
to attend him, was abandoned in his room by his caretaker who
went outside, locking the door behind him and leaving Grant
inside. Grand was suffering from a slight attack of pneumonia
and was under the care of Dr. D. F. Duggan. On realizing that he
was left alone in the room, Grant rose and found the door
locked. Fearing that something was wrong, he attempted to get
out by way of a window. Opening the window he crawled out on a
portico and fell a distance of 20 feet to the ground, fracturing
five ribs in the fall. This aggravated his condition, and when
taken to the hospital it became apparent that he would probably
not survive. He leaves a sister in Holy Cross, Ky., who is said
to be sick and unable to come to see her brother. Dr. Duggan
says that he was informed that the sister who is sick is very
poor and has a large family of children. Grand had $800 in cash
which he turned over to Dr. Duggan, telling him to pay all his
bills, have him buried, and send the remainder to his sister. He
also leaves a farm said to contain 160 acres in Kentucky, which
will go to the sister. Formerly Grant was in the saloon
business, but retired from that pursuit and since he lived in
Alton has worked as he felt like it, living off his income
chiefly. The body was taken in charge by Mrs. John Lock, and it
will be buried at Alton.
GRATHWOHL,
MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 17, 1918
Mrs. Mary Grathwohl, aged 58, wife of Louis Grathwohl, died this
afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home at 1000 Logan street,
after a year's illness of cancer. She is survived by her
husband, but no children. The funeral will be held Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home. The Rev. W. O. Heggemeier of
the German Evangelical Church will officiate. The burial will be
in the City cemetery.
GRATIAN,
KATHRYN WARREN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 23, 1900
On the threshold of motherhood, at the happiest, holiest
hour of a woman's life, Mrs. Kathryn Warren Gratian, wife of Mr.
Will Gratian, died at 3 o'clock this morning at her home on
Market street. To her friends who were told this morning that
the last dread hour had come, and that this queenly woman had
passed out of this life as she gave her life to another, a
daughter, the announcement came with a stinging blow that
touched the heart and left an impression of pain not to be
alleviated. It was not known to her friends or to herself that
she was in such a critical condition. For several weeks she had
been in ill health, but she did not realize that she was near to
death. She was cheerful and hopeful of the future, with all that
her mother's heart desired in her little family circle. Early
Monday morning she became dangerously ill, and from that time
she never regained consciousness, even long enough to take a
look at her little daughter, who had come into the world to be
bereft of a mother's care. She lingered in a dying condition
until 3 o'clock this morning, when her anguished husband and
friends saw her sink to rest. The little daughter was baptized
by the side of her dying mother and was called Kathryn Warren
for the mother. Mrs. Gratian leaves two other children, Warren
and William Edward, aged 7 and 3 years respectively. She was
married nine years ago last May at the home of her sister in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Since the return of the family to Alton to
make their home, there were many who learned to love her and to
watch for the smiling greeting she had for all she met. Her true
kingdom was her home, and there the stricken family mourn her
loss. Miss Jessie Warren of Toronto, and Mrs. Mary Daley of
Council Bluffs, both sisters, are here, and her mother, Mrs.
Robert Warren, will arrive from Toronto tomorrow. The funeral
will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m., and services will be in St.
Paul's Episcopal church.
GRAUL OR
GRAUL, UNKNOWN SON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 2,
1899
From Fosterburg - Jacob Graul and wife are again
afflicted by the loss of their other baby boy. The funeral took
place Tuesday at M. E. church. The interment was in our
[Fosterburg] Cemetery.
GRAVES,
MATILDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 26, 1902
The
funeral of Miss Matilda Graves of North Alton took place Sunday
morning from the A. M. E. church at North Alton, where services
were conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. Will Summers. Interment
was in Rocky Fork cemetery.
GRAVES, REBECCA/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 24, 1883
Mrs.
Rebecca Graves, for over 30 years a resident of Alton, died
Wednesday after an illness of three years, at the age of 60
years and 10 months. She leaves a husband and two daughters,
Mrs. H. Starr of Alton, and Mrs. H. E. Gould, besides other
relatives and friends to mourn her death.
GRAVLEY, "DOC"/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 25,
1918
Soldier Blown to Pieces by Shell
Miss E. Hartman of the
Dolly Madison Hotel has received a letter from her cousin, Jack
O'Reilly, who is with the 54th Canadian regiment, with the
British Expeditionary Forces in France, in which he states that
"Doc" Gravley of Alton was killed at the Battle of Amiens.
Gravley was a member of the same Canadian regiment as O'Reilly,
who formerly lived at Curlew, Wash., but joined the Canadian
forces. Gravley's father is an undertaker and lives in Chicago.
The letter, telling of the Alton man's death, was written "in
the field," and dated October 24. In it O'Reilly writes:
"Letters and papers received. It is impossible for me to express
my appreciation for your thoughtfulness and trouble. We sure do
look forward to those American papers. Quite a number of the
boys send their thanks. Did I tell you I was hit at Anas? Had a
nice rest for a couple of weeks. 'Doc' Gravley, the Alton man,
was killed at the Battle of Amiens. He was blown to a thousand
pieces by a 5.9 shell. Gravley's last words the day before we
went into battle were to thank you for those Alton papers, for
he certainly looked forward to them. These are great days for
us. We are gradually driving the enemy back to the frontier.
Another year or two should finish it. Gee! I'm tired of it all,
as you know this is my third year in France." O'Reilly sends a
tribute of respect to the memory of Gravley on behalf of the
company. The tribute is as follows: "To the friends and
relatives who survive this young man: Our whole company wishes
to extend our deepest sympathy as he fought harder and bravely,
knowing the enemy was retreating. His place is our company
cannot be filled. He was ever ready to cheer any homesick
comrade, for which he died nobly."
GRAY, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 3,
1908
Former City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Township Clerk
George Gray, former city clerk, township collector and city
treasurer, died Wednesday evening at 10 o'clock at his
residence, 2004 State street, from asthma and heart trouble. His
death had been expected for several days. He had been in bad
health for over a year and recently resigned his office of city
clerk because he was unable to attend to his duties. He was down
town Saturday morning and probably over-exerted himself, as he
was weak and hardly able to get around. After his return home he
collapsed, and on Sunday he became much worse. His death was
looked for by members of his family and was no surprise. The
death of Mr. Gray closed the career of one of the oldest office
holders in the city. He had the record of never having been
defeated at the polls. He was invincible there. His quiet manner
of electioneering made him many warm friends, no less among the
young than among the older people. His majorities never
decreased and it was a reckless man indeed who would run against
him for any office, if results indicated anything. While he
probably did not intend to do so, he was unconsciously
electioneering the whole year round. No one was ever in trouble,
of the acquaintances of Mr. Gray, that he failed to express his
sympathy and make a thoughtful inquiry about it....Mr. Gray
leaves his wife and three children, George Gray and Miss Irene
Gray of Alton, and William Gray of Atlanta, Georgia. His son,
William, was on the way home in response to a summons to attend
his dying father, but did not arrive in time. The other members
of his family were present. Mr. Gray also leaves a sister living
in Alton, Mrs. W. G. Weston. He was born in London, England,
June 8, 1835. He came to America when a young man. In 1865 he
was married at Alton to Miss Carrie Williams, who survives him.
He was a member of Piasa lodge of the Masonic fraternity, and
was also a charter member of Robin Hood camp, Modern Woodmen. He
was always deeply interested in the work of the Masonic lodge
and his fellow members say that he was among the most regular in
attendance. His death is regretted by a very large circle of
friends who respected him for his integrity of character. The
funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
family home. It will be under Masonic auspices.
GRAY,
GRANBY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 8, 1909
At
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Grunby Gray, both the husband and wife
have been dangerously ill, the wife being poisoned from eating
strawberries. Yesterday when she learned that her husband was
dead, she became prostrated and is now in a dangerous condition.
Mr. Gray died from a complication of diseases. He was 40 years
old and leaves beside his sick wife, two boys, five and ten
years of age, and one daughter thirteen years old. The funeral
was held from the Bethalto M. E. church this afternoon, and
burial was in Liberty Prairie.
GRAY, HAZEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 15, 1911
Deserted By Mother, Tended By Father, Little Girls of Eight Dies
of Diphtheria [see obit of Unknown Gray below]
Mrs. S.
Demuth, health officer, was obliged to intervene today to
prevent spread of a very malignant form of diphtheria in the
family of Herman Gray, who lives upstairs over the Weaver
Harness Shop on Second Street opposite the Stanard-Tilton Flour
Mill. Gray, deserted by his wife who left him with three
children, aged 13, 8 and 5, was obliged to make the fight
single-handed, when his 8 year old daughter, Hazel, contracted
diphtheria, and after an illness of four days, died. The father
nursed her, bore her in his arms, and at the same took care of
his two other little daughters in their two room quarters. The
father, grief stricken at losing his child, even after her
death, would not be separated from her, and according to the
health officer, would go to the dead body, and catching her in
his arms, would kiss her passionately on the lips, weep, and
shake as if he was in an ague chill. Mrs. Demuth found at the
time that the child's mouth where the father was kissing her was
covered with the germs of the disease, and she ordered the
father to desist and not to touch the body again. The father
would not be denied, so Officer Rotsch was detailed at Mrs.
Demuth's orders, to keep the father from further exposure and to
make him stay out of the room. Mrs. Demuth ordered that the
funeral be held forthwith, and owing to the fact that the sexton
at the cemetery was too busy preparing the graves for the
victims of the [Bogli] drowning, the burial could not be until
this afternoon. Undertaker W. H. Bauer was ordered to go to the
place and put the body in a sealed casket and see to it that no
one touched it. The father was instructed to bathe himself and
children, thoroughly fumigate his clothes, and have the house
fumigated. The grief of the father was pathetic when he was told
he must not again touch his dead child, but he realized that for
the safety of his other children he must be more prudent. He
refused to believe that his daughter died from diphtheria
because death was so easy. Rev. S. D. McKenny conducted the
services this afternoon at City cemetery over the child.
GRAY, JAMES ALBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday,
June 19, 1899
Three Arrested After Body of Brick Layer Found
The body of James Albert Gray, a well-known brick layer, was
found near the lower end of Bayliss Island Sunday morning by a
fisherman, who at once reported to Chief of Police Volbracht.
The findings of the body confirmed a rumor that had reached the
Chief that Gray had been drowned, and suspicion was that the
three men who were arrested later knew more than they cared to
tell.
About 5 o'clock Friday afternoon, Gray, with
Ventress, Johnston and Keyte, started from near the old vinegar
factory in a skiff to go across the river. They had a jug of
whisky with them, and Gray had money, having just received his
week's pay, which furnishes a motive for the murder, if such it
was. The crowd was going off on a drunken frolic across the
river, to last as long as Gray's money held out. People along
the riverbank say there were four man in the skiff and some say
the whole party would take a drink of whisky about every hundred
yards. The three men arrested returned Saturday, but Gray did
not come home. When the rumor reached the police that Gray was
drowned, Chief Volbracht started to investigate.
Ventress said there were but three in the skiff, and so did
Johnston, but they finally admitted there were four. Then they
began to tell different stories. Ventress said Gray had been
with them and was drowned. The whole party was put under arrest
to await developments. When the finding of the body was
reported, Officers Welch and Parker were sent in a skiff to
identify it and bring it home. The body arrived at dusk and was
taken in charge by Undertaker Bauer, while Dr. Fisher made an
examination. On the head were marks apparently made by a blow
from an oar, and these marks are taken as conclusive evidence
that Gray was murdered. Coroner Bailey held an inquest last
night, and the three men with Gray in the skiff were allowed to
tell their stories. Keyte was the first man examined. He said
Johnston, Ventress and Gray met him Friday afternoon and he
invited them to go across the river to his home with him. They
took whisky with them and drank frequently. Below the bridge and
near Bayliss Island, he said, Gray fell out and was drowned. He
wanted to save him, but Johnston would not allow it. Ventress
was called to the stand and was asked what he knew. He pretended
at first to know nothing of Gray's fate. He fell out of the
skiff, himself, he said, near Bayliss Island. The waves from the
Spread Eagle, then passing the draw, rocked the skiff so he
could not stay in. He swam to Bayliss Island and there laid down
to sleep until Saturday morning. When asked if he had not first
told of Gray's drowning to his brother, Ventress denied it, but
the brother testified that he did. Johnston and the boat was
swamped by the Spread Eagle and all were thrown into the water.
He did not know what happened after that. He claimed that the
three found themselves in the boat at Gabaret Island, near Chain
of Rocks, yesterday.
The inquest was adjourned Sunday
night to 10 o'clock this morning and Dr. Fisher was directed by
the Coroner, to make an examination of the body. A wound over
the right temple of Gray was found where he had evidently
received a violent blow which rendered him unconscious and
knocked him into the water. Dr. Fisher thinks Gray was not
killed by the blow but was drowned after falling overboard. Wash
Johnston says that he was so drunk when he told his first story
to the police, he did not know what he was saying. He sticks to
his statement that Gray and Ventress were washed out of the boat
by waves from a passing boat, but he and Keyte remained in the
skiff in a drunken stupor. The four men had disposed of a gallon
of whiskey and were so drunk they did not know what was going
on.
The coroner's jury rendered a verdict shortly after
11 o'clock which was in effect that James A. Gray came to his
death by drowning, June 16, and that a violent blow had been
dealt him on the head which rendered him unconscious. One of the
members of the jury was Louis Utt, a relative of Wash Johnston,
but his relationship was not known when the jury was made up.
Chief of Police Volbracht found additional evidence today that
shows Gray to have been murdered. Ed Scheibe, Thomas Bates, and
a man named Holmes were standing on the shore near where Gray
fell from the skiff and they say they saw Johnston strike him on
the head with an oar and saw Gray fall into the water. A warrant
charging Johnston with murder and Ventress and Keyte with being
accessories was issued by Police Magistrate Few and the three
men were held in custody.
Preliminary Hearing of Alleged
Murderers
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 20, 1899
Wash Johnston, Simon Kites, and William Ventress were given a
preliminary hearing before Justice Brandeweide today, on the
charge of murdering James A. Gray. The prisoners were arraigned
in court, and each of them pleaded not guilty to the charge of
murder. Judge Dunnegan represented Ventress, J. A. Lynn was
counsel for Kite, and Johnston was not represented with an
attorney. States Attorney Staats was assisted by B. J. O’Neill.
Dr. Fisher was the first witness examined. He gave testimony
similar to what he said at the Coroner’s inquest, and stated it
was his opinion the wound on Gray’s head was inflicted while he
was alive, and was sufficient to produce unconsciousness, and
that death was due to drowning.
During the examination of
Herman Schulze, the man who found Gray’s body, Judge Dunnegan
raised the point that the crime, if any, having been committed
on the Missouri side of the river, the body being found there,
the Illinois courts had no jurisdiction, and that the venue
should be in St. Charles County. Mr. Staats and Mr. O’Neill
contested this point and showed by the statutes that Madison
County has concurrent jurisdiction with St. Charles County in a
criminal offense committed on the river. Justice Brandewiede
decided he had jurisdiction and proceeded with the case.
The prosecution was disappointed in the evidence it was able to
bring out. Barney Kite and his wife, who were reported to have
been told by Johnston that Gray was killed with an oar by
himself, denied having heard any such thing from Johnston. The
other witnesses, too, denied having said they saw Johnston
strike Gray with an oar, and the prosecution so far as they were
concerned fell flat. States Attorney Staats favored entering a
dismissal of the case so far as Ventress and Kites were
concerned, as there was not a shadow of evidence to prove that
they were anything but helplessly drunk, and they were
accordingly discharged.
Almost the whole of Missouri
Point was over to hear the trial. All of Kite’s family was there
and seemed much affected by their father’s plight. His daughter
fainted and was unconscious several minutes.
NOTES:
James Albert Gray was buried in the Alton City Cemetery. The
case was taken to a preliminary hearing and dismissed for lack
of evidence. There was not a shadow of evidence to prove they
were anything but “helplessly drunk.”
Bayliss Island,
named after the Bayliss family, was located across from Alton
near the Missouri shore. In 1892, the first work for the new
Clark Bridge began, and some of the piers of the bridge were
located on the island. In 1906, the Polar Wave Ice Company owned
the island, and cut down a lot of the trees for lumber. This
island was flood due to the building of the lock and dam.
GRAY, JANE E./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 31, 1873
Died on October 23, at four o’clock p.m., Mrs. Jane E. Gray; in
the 29th year of her age.
GRAY,
NELLIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 12, 1914
Mrs. Nellie Gray, wife of Joseph Gray, died Friday evening
about 9 o'clock at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
L. Schmidt, 1620 Bozza street, after a long illness with a
complication of diseases. She had been married only a few years
and was 26 years of age. She leaves no children. Besides her
husband, she leaves four brothers, C. J., Nelson, Charles and
Clarence; and two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Swain and Mrs. Rose
Doyle. She was a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees. Mrs.
Gray was born in Alton and lived here all her life. She was well
known in the part of the city where she lived, and leaves many
friends who mourn her death. The funeral will be held Monday
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Washington Street Methodist
Church and services will be conducted by Rev. W. T. Cline.
Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.
GRAY OR GREY, UNKNOWN DAUGHTER OF HERMAN/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, August 25, 1911
[note: see Hazel Gray
obit] Second Child of Herman Grey Dies
Another of the
children of Herman Grey, a daughter 13 years old, succumbed to
diphtheria last night at the home at Fourth and Spring street.
This is the second of the Grey children to die of diphtheria; a
daughter, Hazel, 8 years old, having died August 15th. At the
time of the first death, the attention of Mrs. Demuth was called
to the little family. The mother had deserted her husband and
children. Mrs. Demuth found the father holding the dead body of
the little girl in his arms and kissing her cheeks. He was
crazed with grief. They lived upstairs at Second and State
streets then. Another child, aged five, survives, and it is
feared it will contract the disease. The grief of the father is
pitiful to see. He has been trying to take care of the children
as best as he could, and is heartbroken over the two deaths. The
daughter was buried this afternoon, Rev. S. D. McKenney having
charge of the funeral service. This is one of the most saddest
coming before Mrs. Demuth for some time, and she has done all
she could to aid the little family.
GRAY, THOMAS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April
11, 1916
Thomas Gray, aged 31, died at his home on Ridge
street shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, after an
illness of long standing. He had been unconscious for the past
ten days and his death had been expected at any time. His death
came as the result of an injury he sustained about seven years
ago from which he never recovered. He is survived by his wife,
Louise, and one child. He also leaves a number of brothers and
sisters. The funeral arrangements have not been made and will
not be definitely decided upon until word has been received from
relatives at distant points. [April 13, 1916: Interment took
place in Greenwood Cemetery.]
GRAY, WARREN LEVERETT/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 10, 1883
From Upper Alton – Mr. W. E. Gray received a telegram last week,
conveying the sad news of the death by drowning at La Crosse,
Wisconsin, of his son, Warren Leverett Gray, a promising young
man of 19 years. No particulars were given, but it is supposed
he met his death by an accident on the railroad on which he was
employed. The remains will arrive here tonight, and the funeral
will be from his parents’ residence Sunday. Warren’s many
friends here unite in deploring his early death, and extend
their sympathy to the bereaved family.
GRAYSON, JAMES/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 20, 1866
Died in Middletown [Alton], on the 17th inst., Elder James
Grayson, in the 59th year of his age. Mr. Grayson had been a
member of the Baptist Church forty-three years, and twenty-six
years of that time a minister of the gospel. At the time of his
death, he was the oldest member of the Union Colored Baptist
Church of Alton. He was universally regarded as a Christian man.
GREATHOUSE, ISAAC/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 17, 1844
Died, on the 9th inst., after a long and painful illness, at
his residence near Upper Alton, Ill., Isaac Greathouse, Esq., in
the 44th year of his age. The deceased was one of our worthiest
citizens, and has left a large family and many friends and
acquaintances to mourn his loss.
GREAVES, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 8,
1900
Murdered in Bethalto
A revolver shot and the calls of a man for a
doctor to attend a man who had been shot, nearly broke up a
Republican meeting at Bethalto Saturday night. The crowd in the
hall started for the door to learn who had been shot, and a
panic at the door was averted by the coolness of the speaker,
Hon. G. W. Patton, who urged the people to stay. The shooting
occurred just outside a saloon in Bethalto. Henry Greaves was
shot in the face by John Faries or Herbert Williams, two powder
mill men who had gone to Bethalto for a Saturday night frolic.
Greaves was intoxicated also, and it was some time before he
could tell who did the shooting. He was found lying on the
street corner in a semi-conscious condition with a bullet hole
in his jaw, the bone fractured and blood spurting from the
wound. The bullet entered the base of Greaves' brain, and the
wound is considered very dangerous. After the shooting, word was
sent to East Alton to arrest the two men, and they were taken
into custody. Deputy Sheriff Dreisoerner went to East Alton
yesterday afternoon, took the two men to Bethalto, and there
they were identified by Greaves as the men with whom he
quarreled. Faries is charged with having fired the shot, and
Williams also says he did. Greaves was brought to Alton today,
and is at St. Joseph's Hospital where Dr. Yerkes is attending
him. He is a son of Charles Greaves of Troy, and belongs to a
well-known family. He is worse this afternoon and can hardly
live. Faries and Williams were taken before the wounded man at
Bethalto, and he identified both. Williams was placed under $500
bond, and Faries was put under $800 bond.
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, October 11, 1900
Henry Greaves
died this morning at St. Joseph's Hospital from the effects of
the bullet wound inflicted by John Faries at Bethalto, Saturday
night. The warrant sworn out by Charles Greaves, his father,
charging Herbert Williams as being an accessory to the murder,
and John Faries with being guilty of murder, were served this
morning at Bethalto by Deputy Sheriff Dreisoerner, and the two
men are being held without bail. The preliminary hearing was set
for this morning at Bethalto, and all the witnesses were on hand
to testify. Instructions were telephoned to Bethalto that all
the witnesses be subpoenaed to attend the Coroner's inquest
today, and that the warrant for the arrest of the two men he
served. The funeral of Greaves will be held Friday afternoon at
Bethalto at 3:30 o'clock, and services will be conducted by the
Bethalto Methodist minister.
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, December 6, 1901
The trial of John
Faries and Herbert Williams for the murder of Henry Greaves at
Bethalto in November 1900, is set for Monday in circuit court at
Edwardsville. About sixty witnesses have been summoned from East
Alton and Alton. The trial will be an interesting one. Greaves
was killed while intoxicated, and both Faries and Williams say
the shooting was done in self defense. The killing occurred on a
night when there was a Republican rally at Bethalto.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 5, 1902
The dying
statement of Henry Greaves, for whose murder John Faries and
Herbert Williams of East Alton are being tried in the Circuit
Court, is lost. Squire W. L. Piggott of Bethalto, now deceased,
took the dying statement of Greaves and retained it for use when
the case should be tried. John Culp of Fosterburg is a bondsman
of John Faries and is also administrator of the estate of Squire
Piggott. Yesterday a demand was made on Mr. Culp to produce the
dying statement, but Mr. Culp said he knew nothing of it and had
not seen it. The court ruled out a copy of the dying statement
and demands the original. The death of Squire Piggott may be an
important fact in the trial of Faries and Williams, and may be
of material assistance to them in defending themselves.
NOTES:
Henry Greaves died on October 11, 1900, at St.
Joseph’s Hospital in Alton. Funeral services were held in
Bethalto. His father swore out a warrant, charging Herbert
Williams with accessory to murder, and John Faries with murder.
The two men were held without bail. The two men claimed the
shooting was in self-defense.
Squire W. L. Piggott of
Bethalto took the dying statement of Greaves, and after that
time period, Piggott died. John Culp of Fosterburg was a
bondsman for John Faries, and also the administrator of
Piggott’s estate. The court requested Culp to produce the dying
man’s statement, but it could not be found. Both Faries and
Williams were released on bond in 1901. The trial was continued
many times, and finally held in June 1902, with Senator J. J.
Brenhold and Judge J. E. Dunnegan as attorneys for the defense.
Since the dying statement of Henry Greaves could not be found,
and there were no witnesses to the murder, the two men were
acquitted.
GREBE, LOUISE/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 5, 1881
Miss
Louise Grebe died at the residence of Mr. Julius Stumpf on State
Street, Sunday morning, at the age of 19 years. The funeral took
place at the German Catholic Church today. The burial took place
in the Catholic Cemetery in Middletown.
GREDING F./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February
11, 1901
F. Greding died Sunday night at his home, Fourth
streets, after a short illness. The funeral will take place
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Salvation Army hall.
GREDING,
GUSTAVE E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 16, 1910
Gustave E. Greding, one of the old residents of Upper Alton,
passed away Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at his home on
Elizabeth street. Mr. Greding passed his 71st birthday
anniversary five days ago, and on that day he was stricken with
paralysis, which rendered him helpless. He never rallied from
the attack and died yesterday afternoon, going into
unconsciousness two hours before death relieved him. Mr. Greding
lived many years at the homestead where his death occurred, and
he raised a big family of children, all of whom are grown.
Besides his widow, he leaves nine children, viz: M. A. Greding,
Edward, Gustave, George, Otto and Miss Alice Greding, all of
Upper Alton, and Will Greding of St. Paul, Mrs. H. S. Aken and
Mrs. Rachel Hale of Chicago. Mrs. Aken of Chicago is very ill
and will not be able to come to her father's funeral. The other
children will come. Mr. Greding was born in Germany and came to
America when a boy of 16 years. He came to Alton shortly after
arriving in this country, and has been a resident of the
vicinity ever since. For many years he was a foreman in the
mould department of the Illinois Glass Company's plant, and in
that position he was of great value to his employers. The
funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at the family home, and
Rev. W. H. Bradley will officiate.
GREEN, ANN/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 5, 1851
Died
in Upper Alton on august 23, after a short but severe illness,
Mrs. Ann Green, consort of Deacon Benjamin Green, in the 49th
year of her age.
GREEN,
ANNA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 18, 1908
Mrs. Anna Green, wife of Ephraim Green of Moro, died Friday
night shortly before midnight after an illness of two weeks. She
would have been 62 years of age next May. Mrs. Green leaves one
of the largest families ever raised in Moro. There are living
ten children, seven daughters and three sons, as follows: Mrs.
Samuel McDonald, Mrs. George Luman, Mrs. H. E. Dorsey, Mrs.
Frank Ellis, Mrs. George Cable, Annie Green, all of Moro, Rev.
William Green of Kewanee, Ralph Green of Litchfield, Ephraim
Green of Moro. She was a niece of William Ja___ of Godfrey. The
funeral will be held Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock. The
husband of Mrs. Green was a coal miner for many years.
GREEN,
EDWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 25, 1910
Edward Green, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Green, died at Hot
Springs, Ark., Tuesday night at 6 o'clock, after a long illness
which began in Alton with pneumonia. He submitted to two
surgical operations in the hope of giving him relief, but they
failed, and as a last resort he was taken away to Hot Springs,
in the hope that he might improve there. He was attended by his
mother, Mrs. Thomas Green, and his brother, James Green. Last
week it was thought best to bring him home, but he took a sudden
change for the worse, and it was impossible to move him. He was
32 years of age. He leaves his wife and two children, Margery,
aged 7, and Edmond, aged 5. The last surgical operation was
performed two weeks ago, and the first one three weeks earlier.
He had been ill about four months. He leaves beside his parents,
wife and children, four brothers, James, Ralph, Walter and
Louis; and one sister, Miss Bessie Green. The body will arrive
in Alton tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, and the funeral will
probably be held Friday morning at 9 o'clock from SS. Peter and
Paul's Cathedral.
GREEN, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 1, 1904
Mrs. Elizabeth Green, 89 years of age, and
for very many years a resident of Bethalto and vicinity where
she was highly respected, died yesterday at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Emily Miller, Bethalto. She leaves three sons,
ex-Officer Thomas Green of Alton, John Green of Belleville,
Ephriam Green of Moro, and three daughters, Mrs. Emily Miller,
Bethalto, and Mesdames Ellen Nesbitt and Sarah Sutton,
Belleville. She is survived by 49 grandchildren, 63
great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
GREEN, EPHRAIM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 19, 1909
Head of Large Family Dies at Moro - Leaves Many Descendants
Ephraim Green, in his 68th year, died at Moro Sunday morning at
2 o'clock, from senile debility. He was the head of a very large
family, leaving seven daughters and three sons. Four of his
children died in infancy, and his wife died about 17 months ago.
Mr. Green leaves also 23 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
In his family early marriages were the rule. He leaves two
brothers, Thomas Green of Alton and John Green of Belleville;
also two sisters, Mrs. John Miller of Bethalto and Mrs. Charles
Nesbet of Belleville. He had lived at Moro 34 years. Mr. Green
was born in Staffordshire, England, April 17, 1842. He emigrated
to America and was married at Belleville to Ann Robson. The
funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock from the
Moro Presbyterian church, Rev. McMican officiating. The three
sons of Mr. Green are Rev. Wm. Green of Ottawa, Ralph Green of
Litchfield, and Ephraim Green of Moro. He was highly esteemed in
the community where he lived, was known as a good husband and
father, and leaves many friends. The Masonic order will have
charge of the services at the grave.
GREEN,
EUNICE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 17, 1913
The funeral of Eunice, daughter of the late Ralph J. and
Mrs. Murial Green, was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock and was
attended by a very large number of friends, relatives and
acquaintances of the afflicted mother. Mrs. Green lost her
husband and father of her children less than two years ago, and
the sympathy of the community goes out to the widowed and
childless young wife and mother. The pallbearers were the same
as acted for the little sister who died some time ago, namely,
Miss Effie Robins, Iva Redmond, Freida Barr, Elenora Dwiggins.
The body was laid in a concrete vault sent from Jerseyville.
Services this afternoon were conducted at the Cathedral by Rev.
Fr. Tarrent, and burial was in Greenwood cemetery beneath a
heavy coverlet of flowers - the offerings of friends.
GREEN, HARRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 18,
1915
Commits Suicide by Drinking Carbolic Acid
Through a clue
discovered by Chief of Police, J. J. Muleen, the identity of the
man who suicided by the carbolic acid route, and was found dying
last Friday night in the Bowman woods on the bluffs, was
established. He was Harry Green, a chauffeur. He was an
Englishman, and his friends, whom he called up by telephone last
Friday morning, believed he was on his way to England. He told
them he planned to go and wished to say farewell to them. None
of them suspected that he had killed himself. David Peebles, a
St. Louis man who knew Green, came to Alton this morning after
Chief of Police Mullen had discovered the clue that led to
establishing the ownership of the silver watch. Peebles did not
tell the coroner's undertaker, John Berner, anything about the
causes that might have led to the suicide....He would have
succeeded had he disposed of the old silver watch he carried,
but he probably did not think it would lead to his
identification....Inside the watch was found a collection of
marks indicating dates on which the watch had been repaired, and
some initials, supposed to be those of the repair men who made
the marks. Knowing it to be the practice of watch repairers to
indicate in a watch every time it was fixed, the chief consulted
the watch repair department at Gouldings, and there it was made
out that the initials were W. G. consulting a telephone
directory it was found there was a jeweler in St. Louis with the
initials corresponding, William Goeb. On telephoning to Goeb, it
was learned that the marks were made by men in his employ that
they had repaired the watch repeatedly for Harry Green, who was
living, at last accounts, at 3408 Washington avenue. Chief of
Police Young of St. Louis said he would investigate and would
report back to Chief of Police Mullen at Alton. The efforts made
by Chief Mullen indicate that Alton has a chief of police who is
far above the average and who uses his brains. The marks in the
watch were very small and required a magnifying glass to reveal
their true character as numbers and letters....It is said the
man was suffering from an incurable disease, and that he
probably decided to kill himself before the disease disabled
him.
GREEN, LAURA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 19,
1922
Mrs. Laura Green, widow of John Green, formerly of
Wanda, died last night at 1 o'clock at the Old Ladies Home on
State street, from a general breakdown, aged 76. She leaves no
relatives. The funeral will be tomorrow from the Bauer
undertaking parlors, owing to illness of some of the inmates at
the Old Ladies Home.
GREEN,
MARTIN L./Source: Alton Telegraph, November 21, 1912
Martin L. Green, aged 62, died from apoplexy Tuesday at his home
in Upper Alton. He was stricken about 11:30 o'clock Monday night
and died at 7:30 o'clock this morning. Mr. Green was the father
of the young man killed a few weeks ago by a train at Ft.
Bellefontaine. He leaves his wife, five children, three brothers
and two sisters. The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.
from the home.
GREEN, MICHAEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 13, 1917
Michael Green, aged 78, for many years a
resident of Alton, died today at the Nazareth Home. The funeral
will be held on Monday morning at 9:30 o'clock from the Nazareth
Home to the St. Joseph's Cemetery. Mr. Green is survived by one
sister, Mrs. Katherine Green.
GREEN, RALPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 18, 1912
One By One, Tuberculosis Takes the Employees of the
Sentinel-Democrat Newspaper
Ralph Green died at Denver, Colo., Monday
morning at 10:30 o'clock from tuberculosis, after a long hard
fight with the disease. He was 28 years of age, and is survived
by his wife and one child. A message came this morning that the
street superintendent was in a dying condition. He was supposed
to be recovering his strength slowly, from messages doubtless
sent because of his last rally before the end. The final
collapse came Sunday evening and death resulted this morning.
Last Fall Mr. Green asked a leave of absence and went to Denver
with Mrs. Green, hoping that he would be strengthened by the air
in the high altitude. He seemed to get better for awhile, but
the change was of no lasting benefit. He made a hard fight for
life, and seemed filled with determination to exert all the
willpower he had. He knew when he left Alton that it was
probably his last attempt to help himself. His death closes a
series of fatalities in the one newspaper office, The
Sentinel-Democrat, which eventually caused the death of the
paper itself. Through an employee in the place, the tuberculosis
germ was introduced in the office, but it attacked one after
another. Ed Rice, Austin McInerney and then Ralph Green were the
victims. Editor J. J. McInerney's death resulted not from
tuberculosis, but from shock due to the death of his son,
Austin. Finally the newspaper itself died. Ralph Green worked
for years, first as reporter then as acting editor of The
Sentinel-Democrat. He was forced to leave the position because
of his continued bad health. He was appointed street
commissioner by Mayor Faulstich. Mr. Green was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Green of Alton. The body will be brought back to
Alton for burial. Mrs. Green was with her husband during the
long fight he made for life, and his sister, Miss Bessie, was
with him toward the end.
GREEN, SAMUEL F./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 25, 1877
From Collinsville – Mr. Samuel F. Green, a young lawyer of more
than ordinary promise, died at Collinsville on October 16, aged
30 years, of diphtheria. He was a native of New Hampshire, a
graduate of Harvard, and had studied law in Berlin. His
prospects for future success were brilliant. His remains were
taken to his native State for burial.
GREEN,
SARAH LIVONIA (nee GURNSEY)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 22, 1900
Mrs. Sarah Livonia Green, wife of Capt.
Montroville Green, died this morning shortly after midnight,
after an illness of five weeks, at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. H. R. Wills, at Fifth and Alton streets. Mrs. Green was 78
years of age, and with her husband had made her home with her
daughter, Mrs. Wills, the past sixteen years. Mrs. Green's life
was an interesting one, and her old age was tempered with a
sweetness of disposition that made her lot a happy one with her
aged partner of fifty years of married life. Capt. Green is left
at an advanced age without his companion of younger days, and
the death of Mrs. Green has an added sadness from this fact.
Last January 7 she celebrated with her husband and two children
the golden anniversary of her wedding. She was then in good
health, but was stricken down a few weeks later with a severe
illness brought on by old age. She has been very ill ever since
and her death was not unexpected. Mrs. Green's maiden name was
Gurnsey. She came from an old family of Vermonters living at
Shrewsbury, near Rutland, where she has relatives living now.
She came west and was married in St. Louis to Montroville Green,
who had come to the western country four years before, and was
then engaged in the steam-boating and boat-building business.
The couple made their home in St. Louis until sixteen years ago,
when they came to Alton. During all the years they lived in St.
Louis, Captain Green was a steamboat Captain and was one of the
best known men on the river. Mrs. Green leaves two children,
Mrs. Wills and Mrs. L. A. Borges, of St. Louis. The funeral will
be Saturday morning and services will be in the Unitarian
church. Interment will be in St. Louis. The hour of the funeral
will be announced tomorrow.
GREEN,
WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 7, 1914
William Green, a long time resident of Alton, died last night at
his home in Hollman street after an illness of five weeks with
asthmatic troubles and complications. He was about sixty-eight
years of age, and is survived by his widow. He was a member of
St. Mary's congregation and the funeral will be held from St.
Mary's church Friday morning at 9 o'clock. He was a member of
St. Boniface branch of the western Catholic union, and the
members will attend the funeral in a body. Burial will be in St.
Joseph's cemetery. Mr. Green died at his home, 2200 Holman
street. He leaves his wife, a brother, Michael, and a sister
Mrs. Catherine Gleben, all of Alton. He was a native of
Lippenberg, Germany, and came to Alton when 20 years old, having
lived here ever since. His death was due to Asthma.
GREENE,
GARDNER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 25, 1907
Gardner Greene, for many years a hotel keeper at Nameoki, fell
from the second floor to the first floor in his hotel there
Wednesday and broke his neck, dying instantly. Greene was _5
[looks like 45] years old. He had been used to sleeping on the
first floor of his building the year around, but Tuesday night,
on account of the heat, he had gone to the upper floor. When he
got up yesterday morning he walked over to the stairway and fell
over the balaster. It is believed he had forgotten he was on the
second floor and did not realize where he was walking. He left a
widow and five children. Coroner Streeper held an inquest over
Greene last evening and a verdict of accidental death was
rendered by the jury.
GREENFIELD, SAMUEL THOMAS/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 2,
1850
Died in Upper Alton on the 27th inst., after a long and
painful illness, Samuel Thomas Greenfield, aged about two years.
He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
GREENWOOD, JENNIE LOU/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 11,
1875
Died in Edwardsville on Friday, October 21, of
congestive chill, Jennie Lou, daughter of E. P. and A. L.
Greenwood; aged 3 years, 8 months, and 3 days.
GREENWOOD, JOHNNIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1884
From Bethalto - Mr. and Mrs. Peter Greenwood were sorely
afflicted last week in the death of their son, “little Johnnie,”
which occurred Friday morning at the family resident, one and a
half miles west of Bethalto, after an illness of very short
duration, of peritonitis. Deceased was 12 years and four months
old, and was known and highly esteemed by nearly everybody in
the village, having peddled milk here for the past year, and by
his promptness and politeness had won the admiration of all. The
funeral took place Saturday afternoon, and was very largely
attended. The remains were interred at the Bethalto Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy for the bereaved family are general
throughout the neighborhood, and a death which occasioned more
real sorrow in our midst has seldom occurred. Called away in the
very bloom of youth, it is indeed a sad blow to his parents, the
full force of which can only be realized by those who have
experienced a similar affliction. That little Johnnie was a
favorite among his school mates was evinced by the throng of
children in attendance at the funeral.
GREER, GEORGE O./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 11,
1908
Painter Slips on Roof and Falls 35 Feet to Ground
George
O. Greer, a painter living at 1110 Pearl street, fell from the
two story roof of the August Wutzler building at 626 Spring
street, shortly after 7 o'clock Tuesday morning and was
instantly killed. He wore heavy soled shoes with inch-long tacks
sticking out in the soles, which he called roof shoes, and it is
conjectured that as he was walking over the roof in getting to
his proper position to begin painting the chimney, his shoe
soles were caught in the shingles and he was tripped and fell to
the ground, a distance of thirty-five feet. His head was
crushed. A. M. Greer, his brother, was the first to reach him.
He was on the other side. He heard his brother fall, and rushing
to the spot found his brother dead. The body was then removed to
the undertaking rooms of Deputy Coroner Allen Keiser. A strange
coincidence is that as Greer was climbing up Tuesday morning,
James Goudie, who rents the house from which Greer fell, and who
is a traveling salesman, spoke to him and remarked that it was
dangerous work. "Yes," he answered, "it is a little dangerous,
but I'm used to it. If you go to Palmyra this week, that's my
old home, tell all the folks that I'm well down here." Goudie
walked away, and when talking to some friends down town, he
heard of a man's death by a fall, he had a presentiment that it
was the man working on his house and mentioned it before Greer's
name was spoken. Greer lived with a brother, J. M. Greer, and a
sister, Mrs. Irene J. Wheeler on Pearl street. The family moved
here from Palmyra last fall. A brother, J. W. Greer of Lock
Springs, Mo., was wired for after which the funeral arrangements
will be made. The dead man was a member of the Palmyra Masonic
lodge. Greer fell a distance of 35 feet, striking on his head,
and the force of the fall was such that a very unusual fracture
of the skull was caused. The skull was split wide open and the
two halves of the brain were thrown out of the head and fell
fully ten feet away from the body of the man. The body will be
sent to Palmyra for burial.
GREGG, ADA F. (nee FISHER)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
December 21, 1903
Mrs. Ada
F. Gregg, aged 53, died at her home in Chicago Saturday
afternoon after a long illness. Mrs. Gregg was a member of a
former well known Alton family, and she lived the greater part
of her life in Alton. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. U. E.
Fisher, and a sister of Mrs. W. D. Sparks. The body was brought
from Chicago this morning and taken to the home of Capt. Sparks
on Prospect. Mrs. Gregg leaves only one daughter, Mrs. George T.
Palmer of Chicago, with whom she had been making her home. Until
five years ago she lived in Alton. Mrs. Gregg's illness had
extended over many years, but although she was almost constantly
suffering great pain, she bore herself with such patience and
fortitude that not once during her illness did she allude to a
possibility of a fatal termination of the malady. She died full
of hope that she would be with her daughter to celebrate
Christmas and was actively engaged preparing little Christmas
gifts for those whom she held most dear. She was beloved the
most by those who knew her best, and her death is a sad
affliction to her bereaved family. Mrs. Gregg was born in
Whitehall, Ill., and came as a child to Alton, which she has
always regarded as her home. She attended Monticello Seminary
during her girlhood. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon
at 2:30 o'clock. The remains will be taken from the residence of
Capt. D. R. Sparks on Prospect street to St. Paul's Episcopal
church, where services will be conducted by Rev. H. M.
Chittenden. The funeral party consisting of Dr. and Mrs. George
Thomas Palmer arrived in Alton this morning with the remains.
GREGORY, MARTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 7,
1909
Martha Martha [sic] Gregory, wife of Samuel H.
Gregory, died at 11:40 o'clock Tuesday at her residence, Fourth
and Alby streets, after an illness of one week. When she died,
her husband was away from home, having gone to Jeffersonville,
Indiana on a business trip, and he did not know that she was
dangerously ill until the morning she died. She was taken ill
one week ago, but her case was not believed to be a serious one
and she did not suffer great pain. A physician was in
attendance, and he did not think her case was an alarming one.
On Monday, her stomach trouble developed into peritonitis, and
she became very much worse during the evening. Her husband was
not to be found, owing to the fact that communication was
difficult through the day being a holiday. Mr. Gregory was found
this morning, and he started back at once, arriving this
evening. His wife died just before noon. The death of Mrs.
Gregory caused many to mourn throughout the city, in the circles
where she was best known. Hers was a beautiful character. She
was a woman of profound convictions and much culture. In her
home, she was a good mother, always dutiful to her husband and
her two children. She was the oldest daughter of her parents,
Captain and Mrs. G. W. Hill. Her home life was beautiful and all
her family were deeply attached to her and looked to her for
leadership. In the time of trouble for her family or her
friends, hers was one of the first hands to extend sympathy and
help, and in this respect she was self denying and self
forgetful. In the Presbyterian church, she was an energetic
member and always ready to do more than her share. In the
membership of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, she was
one of the leaders. Her last energies outside of her home work
were devoted to watching the work on the Confederate Monument
she had hoped to see completed, but which she was not destined
to do. Her life was a noble one, and it will be a sweet memory
for her children and her husband, as well as her aged father and
her three sisters. Mrs. Annie H. Cunningham, her youngest
sister, has been in the far west and is on her way home from
Seattle, Washington. She will arrive Thursday. She leaves two
other sisters, Mrs. Virginia H. McKinney and Mrs. Frank P.
Hearne, and her father, Capt. G. W. Hill, all of whom were with
her when she died. She had a son, Winfrey, and daughter, Louise.
The time of the funeral has not been decided. Mrs. Gregory was
born at Alexandria, Clark county, Missouri. She came to Alton to
live when a high school girl, and attended school here. She was
deeply interested in the Alton High school. Her marriage took
place 24 years ago, and almost all of that time she had lived in
Alton, except a few years she stayed in Kentucky. [Note: Burial
was in Louisville, Kentucky]
GREGORY,
MAY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 1, 1901
May,
the 8 year old daughter of Mrs. Annie Gregory, died Sunday
night. The funeral will be Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.
Interment in City Cemetery.
GRENZEBACH,
GERTRUDE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 25, 1914
Mrs. Gertrude Grenzebach, widow of August Grenzebach, died this
morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Redmond, 356
Bluff street, from old age. Mrs. Grenzebach had been ill some
time and her death had been expected. She was among the oldest
residents of Alton. A native of Germany, she came to Alton when
a young woman, and she spent all the remainder of her life here.
She had resided in the city sixty-four years. She was 86 years
of age the tenth of last May. Mrs. Grenzebach is survived by
three sons, William, Henry and John, and three daughters, Mrs.
Louis Hilt, Mrs. William Redmond, and Mrs. Julius Hilt. During
the long period that Mrs. Grenzebach lived in Alton, she earned
the good will and high esteem of all who knew her. She saw her
family of children grow to manhood and womanhood, and be
respected residents of their community and her declining years
were made very happy for her by her children. She was known as a
good neighbor, and there are many who have good reason to regret
the passing of this aged lady and who remember her kindly. The
funeral of Mrs. Grenzebach will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. from
the home of Mrs. Redmond on Bluff street. Services will be
conducted by Rev. E. L. Mueller of the German Evangelical
church. [June 27, 1914: Burial was held at City Cemetery.]
GRENZEBACH, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 20,
1916
Man Drops Dead at Work In Cooper Shop
William
Grenzebach, aged 53, a well known resident of Alton, died
suddenly while working in a cooper shop on the place of Chris
Ringhausen above Grafton, Friday afternoon. Word was sent to
Alton to his relatives, and they started for the Ringhausen farm
at once. Mr. Grenzebach was working with his brother, John, when
death struck him. He had been in apparently good health, and his
relatives in Alton were shocked to learn that he was dead. This
year for the third time the Grenzebach brothers, William and
John, had taken their wives to the Ringhausen place and were
engaged in making apple barrels to contain the huge crop of
apples grown on the orchards. Mr. Ringhausen had given the
Grenzebach brothers the contract for making his apple barrels,
and they would work all season on the job, turning out an
immense number of barrels. They were known as skillful, reliable
workmen, and their services were in demand. William Grenzebach
and his brother were working in the cooper shop on the
Ringhausen place when William collapsed, and a few minutes later
was dead. The body was brought back to Alton and taken to the
home of William Redmond on Bluff street. Mr. Grenzebach leaves
two brothers, John of Alton and Henry of St. Louis, and two
sisters, Mrs. Julius Hilt and Mrs. William Redmond. He was born
in Alton and lived here all his life. He was a man of good
character, a member of the Congregational Church, and was highly
esteemed by everyone. He had no children. It was said today by
relatives of Mr. Grenzebach that he had been suffering somewhat
from a heart trouble, and it was supposed this had caused his
death. He was at work all day up to the time he collapsed, about
3:15 o'clock Friday afternoon. The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon. The body will be taken at 2:30 o'clock from the
Redmond home on Bluff street to the Congregational church, where
services will be conducted by Rev. Irving G. McCann at 3
o'clock. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.
GREVE,
CAROLINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 12, 1904
Mrs. Caroline Greve, aged 74, died Friday night from burns she
suffered fourteen days ago at the home of her son, Frank Greve,
near Godfrey. Mrs. Greve's vitality was remarkable, and at first
it was thought she would recover, notwithstanding her advanced
age. Mrs. Greve was in the smokehouse when her clothing caught
fire. Her son, Frank Greve, was in the field, about 100 yards
from the house, and he saw his mother walking toward the house
and her clothing burning. Mrs. Greve did not know her skirts
were afire until her son shouted to her. She ran into the house,
and when the son arrived he found she had started to disrobe
herself and get off the burning clothing. The son tore off all
the clothes, but before he could do it the mother was fatally
burned. She had lived near Godfrey forty years, and was the
widow of Henry Greve who died nine years ago. She leaves six
children, Mrs. Mary Bierman of Raymond; Herman Greve of Madison;
John Greve of Alton; Mrs. Annie Biermann of Godfrey; Frank Greve
of Godfrey; Mrs. Lizzie Koch of St. Louis. The funeral will be
held MOnday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Mary's church, and
services will be conducted by Rev. Fr. Meckel.
GREVE,
JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 2, 1910
John
Greve, aged 46, died Friday night from pneumonia after an
illness of two days at his home, 914 east Third street. He was
employed by the glass company and leaves a wife and four
children. The funeral will be Monday morning at 9 o'clock from
St. Mary's church.
GREY, JAMES/Source: Alton Telegraph, June 17, 1880
Mr.
James Grey, a resident of Alton since 1852, died on June 9,
after an illness of about two weeks, at the age of 60 years. He
was a native of Kentucky, and was regarded by all his
acquaintances as a good neighbor, a kind friend, and a valuable
citizen. His funeral will take place tomorrow from the family
residence on Mechanic Street.
GREY, RICHARD E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
March 31, 1919
The funeral of Richard E. Grey was held
Sunday from the Streeper undertaking parlors. He was 51 years of
age. Interment was in St. Joseph's cemetery.
GREY,
SADIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 5, 1917
Mrs.
Sadie Grey, aged 40, of Twentieth and Belle Streets, died
suddenly last evening. At 6 o'clock she was apparently in good
health and was visiting with her neighbors. Two hours and a half
later, her condition had become so serious that she was removed
to St. Joseph's Hospital and at 10:30 o'clock last night she
died. Besides her husband, she is survived by five children
..... [unreadable] first marriage. The funeral arrangements have
not been completed.
GRIEBEL, ERNEST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 8, 1909
Ernest Griebel, aged 85, a prominent
resident of Fosterburg township, died Sunday at midnight at his
home after an illness of three weeks. Death was due to old age.
He was a native of Germany and came to America about 45 years
ago. He lived a short time at Bunker Hill. For thirty years he
conducted a store at Fosterburg, but had long been out of
business. He was a member of the German Presbyterian church at
Fosterburg. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Lotta Griebel, and son,
Edward Griebel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a daughter,
Mrs. Minnie Jones of Upper Alton. He leaves also some
stepchildren, Mrs. Recka Wortmann, Mrs. Annie Wortmann, Mrs.
Emma Wortmann, and Louis Recker. The three stepdaughters married
three brothers.
GRIESBAUM, AUGUST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
September 12, 1916
After lingering twenty-two months
following a paralytic stroke which rendered his entire side
useless, August Griesbaum died last evening at 5:15 o'clock at
St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was taken last spring. Shortly
after Mr. Griesbaum was stricken with paralysis, his wife took
sick also and died shortly afterward. Her death occurred a year
ago last January. The death of his wife was a severe blow to the
suffering man, and all during his illness he felt her absence
keenly. Mr. Griesbaum was 50 years of age. He is survived by
three brothers, William and Joe of Alton; and Fred of Nebraska;
also two sisters, Mrs. James Mode and Mrs. William Hutchens of
California. The sisters visited Mr. Griesbaum during the summer
and will not return for the funeral. He was a member of Robin
Hood Camp, Modern Woodmen. The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home of the daughter, Mrs.
Frank Rothweller, on State street. Interment in the City
Cemetery.
GRIESBAUM, LUCRETIA (nee HALBERT)/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, January 30, 1915
The death of Mrs. Lucretia
Griesbaum, wife of August Griesbaum, occurred last evening at
4:45 o'clock at the family home at 1256 State street. Mrs.
Griesbaum was operated upon at St. Joseph's Hospital five months
ago, but the operation did not prove a success and since that
time she has been very ill and her death has been expected for
some time. The deceased was in her forty-third year. Before a
marriage, Mrs. Griesbaum was Miss Lucretia Halbert, a member of
a well known Kane family, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson Halbert of that place, who survive her. Mrs. Griesbaum is
also survived by her husband, August Griesbaum, and one
daughter, Mrs. F. Rothweiler, who was before her marriage Miss
Almeda Griesbaum. She also leaves five sisters and two brothers.
The funeral will take place from the home Sunday afternoon at
two o'clock, and will be private, owing to the serious illness
of Mr. Griesbaum, who suffered a paralytic stroke some months
ago and from which he never recovered. Friends may view the
remains between Saturday and Sunday noon.
GRIEVE, ISABEL/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 22, 1885
The funeral of Mrs. Isabel Grieve took place Thursday afternoon
from the residence of her son, Mr. J. P. Nisbett. Appropriate
music was rendered by members of the choir of the Presbyterian
Church. The casket was decked with a profusion of beautiful
flowers.
GRIFFIN,
C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 17, 1912
Mrs. C. Griffin, mother of the little family found in distress
in Upper Alton last Thursday, and who were moved to the homes of
Upper Alton residents in an effort to try and save their lives,
died at the home of E. J. McPhillips, where she had been removed
last night. When the family was found to be in distress, the
father, mother, and three children were all suffering from
pneumonia and there was neither food nor fuel in the house. The
family resided in the Finkenkiller home at the corner of
Bostwick and Clawson streets, having come to Upper Alton last
fall. When the family was found, Mrs. Griffin was taken to the
home of E. J. McPhillips, the children to the homes of J. D.
Pace, Mrs. G. W. Wright, and A. L. Bolander, and the father to
another home nearby. The remains of Mrs. Griffith were removed
today to the home of Rev. Hicks, pastor of the Methodist church,
and the funeral will be held from there tomorrow afternoon at 2
o'clock. Burial will be in the Oakwood cemetery. A mother and
sister of the dead woman arrived last night from Oklahoma. The
father and the children are much improved today.
GRIFFIN, LEVERETT CRITENDON/Source: Alton Telegraph, February
7, 1878
From Bethalto – Mr. L. C. Griffin died last Wednesday
at the residence of Mr. J. P. Owen. When a young man, his father
educated him to perfection, but strong drink got the best of
him, and he died among strangers, a wreck of his former self.
NOTES:
Leverett Critendon Griffin was born August 25,
1829 in New Hartford, New York. He is buried in the Montgomery
Cemetery in Bethalto.
GRIFFITH,
ANN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 6, 1909
Mrs. Ann Griffith, aged about 87, died at St. Joseph's hospital
yesterday evening from the effects of a fall she had at the Old
Ladies Home about three weeks ago. Mrs. Griffith was the oldest
inmate of the home, and had been there since it was started. She
had become so helpless after her fall that she could not be
handled properly at the Home, so she was removed to the hosital.
She leaves no known relatives. The injuries she sustained in the
fall were the direct cause of her death. The funeral was held at
3 o'clock this afternoon from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral,
and interment was at Greenwood Cemetery.
GRIFFITH, JOSEPH H./Source: Alton Telegraph, April 24, 1874
From Collinsville - Madison County has lost an old settler and
one of its oldest citizens, Joseph H. Griffith, Esq., who died
last Sunday night after a brief illness. He was a native of
Delaware, and came to Illinois nearly forty years ago, when it
was but little more than a wilderness. He resided, with the
exception of one or two years, in Madison County, where he has
held various positions of honor and trust. When he came to
Collinsville, there were but five houses in the place, but he
has lived to see it become one of the most thriving towns in
Southern Illinois. At the time of his death, he held the office
of Police Magistrate, and at the recent school election, had
just been elected trustee. By industry and economy, he had
secured quite a competence, which he leaves to his children. He
was sixty-eight years of age, and was the father in law of Hon.
Benjamin H. Hide.
GRIFFITH,
LOIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 19, 1917
Mrs. Lois Griffith died this morning from pneumonia at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Keller on Linden avenue. Mrs. Griffith was
64 years old. She was born and reared in Upper Alton. The
funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from 737
Linden .... [unreadable]
GRIFFITH,
LOUISA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 19, 1917
Mrs. Louisa Griffith, wife of Griffith Griffith, died at her
home on East Broadway this morning at 12 o'clock after a long
illness with tuberculosis. She leaves a husband and a daughter.
The husband had been in a bad way and had been sent to the
County Home at Edwardsville. Not long ago word came here that he
had died over there. How the story reached here has not been
explained fully. The wife and daughter went over to Edwardsville
to investigate, and they found him in good condition. Today the
man who was reported dead was mourning over the death of his
wife. He had come over to Alton on learning that she was dying,
and the daughter, instead of mourning a father, was today
mourning her mother. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon
at 4 o'clock from the home to the City Cemetery.
GRIGGS, JULIA
M./Source: Alton Telegraph, September 10, 1847
Died on
Tuesday afternoon after a long and painful illness, Julia M.,
daughter and only child of Mr. Herman Griggs, of Alton, aged 2
years and 9 months.
GRIGGS, MARY I./Source: Alton Telegraph, February 22, 1883
From Upper Alton – Mrs. Mary I. Griggs, who moved to Upper Alton
from Brighton two years ago, and has since then been living here
with a son and daughter, died Monday evening in Jacksonville,
where she had been for several weeks, receiving treatment for a
stomach affliction of a very painful nature. During her
residence here, Mrs. Griggs had made many warm friends, who will
learn of her decease with sorrow. She will be buried in Brighton
beside her husband and a son. She left three children, Mrs. W.
I. H. Clark of Brighton; Miss Nettie Griggs and Mr. Herman
Griggs of Upper Alton, besides many other relatives and friends
to mourn her death. Deceased married Mr. Herman Griggs in 1859.
He died in 1878. She was long a member of the Baptist Church.
GRIGGSBY, SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November
17, 1909
Death From Lockjaw
Samuel Griggsby, who
was taken to the hospital Monday night, Wednesday morning for
lockjaw [sic], after suffering horrible agony. Dr. Winn who
attended him said today that if Griggsby was inoculated with the
tetanus germ by running a rusty nail into his foot, he failed to
discover the wound. He says that the only mark on the man was a
very slight scratch on one of his hands, which was not at all
inflamed, and that he could not account for the lockjaw by any
visible evidences on the man's person. It is supposed that he
hurt himself some time ago and that the tetanus germ was then
introduced in his system and laid dormant for a while, but
finally developed. He was taken ill last Friday. Mr. Griggsby
was 66 years old and was a widower. He leaves two sons, Arthur
and Harry. The funeral was held this afternoon and burial was in
the City cemetery. Services were conducted by Rev. H. M.
Chittenden.
GRIGSBY, JULIA B./Source: Alton Telegraph, August 4, 1865
Died in Upper Alton, Saturday, July 29th, at 1 o’clock p.m.,
Mrs. Julia B., wife of B. G. Grigsby, aged 36 years.
GRIGSBY, MINNIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 8, 1865
Died at the residence of Rev. T. B. Hurlbut, Upper Alton, August
31, of a chill, attended with convulsions, Minnie Grigsby,
daughter of B. G. Grigsby, aged five years.
GRIMM, WILLIAM H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 17
1901
Killed by Street Car in St. Louis
William H. Grimm,
aged 46, was killed Saturday night by being crushed under the
wheels of a street car at Broadway and St. Charles streets in
St. Louis. His family living at No. 16 West Ninth street knew
nothing of his death until this noon, when they received a
letter from a St. Louis attorney asking that he be given the
business of filling a damage suit against the St. Louis Transit
Company. Grim's mother, Mrs. Elmira Grim, his sister, Mrs. Mary
Hamilton and Mrs. Dorcas Conner of Randles, Mo., were at the
home when the news was received. The mother is 75 years of age
and is almost prostrated with grief. No word of the death of the
man was sent to Alton by the coroner in St. Louis. Grim was
alighting from a car and had turned to cross the tracks when he
was struck by a car he did not see. His legs were cut off, and
when taken from under the car he was dead. He was a laborer.
Grim wrote a postal card to his sister Saturday night and said
he would write a letter next day. Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Conner,
the two sisters, went to St. Louis this afternoon to identify
the body in the morgue.
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, June 18, 1901
Mrs. Mary Hamilton and Mrs.
Dorcus Conner went to St. Louis yesterday afternoon to identify
the body of W. H. Grimm, who was killed Saturday night by a
street car. The coroner's jury reported a verdict fixing the
responsibility for the accident. The body arrived here this
morning from St. Louis, and was taken to the family home on
Ninth street. The funeral took place this afternoon at 4
o'clock, and burial was in City cemetery.
GRIMSLEY, MARY
ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 12, 1838
Died, on the afternoon of Monday the 10th inst., at the house of
H. G. McClintoc, Esq., in this city, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of
the late W. R. Grimsley, Esq., aged 7 years.
GRIMSLEY, THOMAS H./Source: Alton Telegraph, January 26, 1849
Died at the residence of his uncle, Colonel Thornton Grimsley,
of St. Louis, of dropsy, on Thursday the 18th inst., Mr. Thomas
H. Grimsley of Alton, aged 26 years. Thus has inexorable death
snatched from our midst a beloved companion, endeared to a large
circle of friends by his modest and unpretending worth. In all
the finer qualities which adorn humanity, as a young man he
stood preeminent. Dutiful as a son, kind and affectionate as a
brother, to society an ornament, his memory will be long
cherished, and his early death lamented. His last hours were
peaceful, without a struggle he yielded his spirit to his God,
and, we trust, now sweetly sleeps in Jesus. From his tomb a
voice addressed the young associates he so lately left, “Be ye
also ready.”
GRIMSLEY, WILLIAM
R./Source: Alton Telegraph, August 23, 1837
Died, in
Alton, on Thursday evening last, Mr. William R. Grimsley.
GRISSOM,
ALTA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 28, 1907
Mrs.
Alta Grissom, wife of John Grissom, died at the family home, 627
North street, at 8 o'clock last night. A child was born to the
mother Monday afternoon, and both mother and babe died a short
time afterward. Mrs. Grissom was twenty years of age and has
resided in Alton but a short time. Her father and mother reside
in Nebraska, and word has been sent them of the death. The
remains will be taken to Alsay, Ill., for burial.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 29, 1907
The
funeral of Mrs. Alta Grissom, wife of John Grissom, will be held
this evening at 8 o'clock and services in the home will be
conducted by Rev. S. D. McKenny of Springfield. The body will be
taken to Alsey, Ill., tomorrow morning for burial. Mrs.
Grissom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Patterson of Wallace,
Neb., will not attend the funeral as the mother is very ill.
Mrs. Grissom's child is not dead, as reported.
GRISSOM, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December
16, 1916
Two Die in Still Blast at Wood River Refinery
Two men,
Charles Grissom and William Jackson, were killed instantly by
the explosion of still 14 of battery 2, at the Wood River
refinery, early Saturday morning. Another man, Urick Bailes, was
slightly burned, and Louis Hoffman, who was within a few feet of
the explosion, had a narrow escape but was not injured. The
explosion occurred Saturday at 2:30 a.m. The cause of it is said
to have been an unusual pressure in the still due to firing too
strong. Grissom, formerly a barber in Alton, was an assistant to
the still tender. Jackson was a laborer. Both men were standing
close to the still, sheltered by the warmth from the cold blasts
of the near zero night, when the still exploded. The head of the
still was blow out, drenching the two men with oil. Grissom was
doubtless instantly killed as the top of his skull was knocked
off. Jackson's death must have been very quick. Grissom has a
family living at Wood River, and Jackson has a family living on
Belle street in Alton. The explosion caused a general alarm of
fire at Wood River, and the refinery hands were called from
their warm beds to man the lines of hose and play streams of
water on the fire to prevent the fire communicating to other
tanks of oil in the vicinity. By energetic work the fireman
succeeded in getting the flames under control and no damage was
done to other property....The men killed had been employed at
the plant for six years and were regarded as good, faithful men.
Grissom began working for the plant January 4, 1911. Jackson
began working February 16 the same year. Grissom lived in Wood
River with his family. He is about 35 years of age and has two
children. A third child died two weeks ago, shortly after birth,
and Mrs. Grissom has not been in the best of health on that
account. The shock makes matters worse. Grissom's mother, known
as "Grandma" Grissom, aged 89, has been confined to her bed by
the shock and is in a serious condition. Jackson lived in Alton
at 618 Belle street with his wife and two children. He was 40
years of age. The inquest was held this afternoon over the
bodies of the two men. A white jury was sworn in and took charge
of the Grissom case, and a colored jury took charge of the
colored case. The inquest was held at 3 o'clock this afternoon
at the Bauer undertaking rooms. The funeral of Charles Grissom
will be held on Monday morning at 11 o'clock from the Baptist
Tabernacle in Wood River. The services will be conducted by Rev.
S. D. McKenny and the Odd Fellows, and the burial will be in the
Oakwood Cemetery in Upper Alton. The funeral of William Jackson
will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from home at 618
Belle street.
GRISWOLD, CAROLINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April
22, 1904
The funeral of the late Mrs. Caroline Griswold
was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Second Baptist
church, where services were conducted by Rev. John Oley. There
was a large attendance at the services and quite a large funeral
cortege followed the body to Oakwood cemetery, where interment
took place.
GRISWOLD, JANE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 16,
1900
Former Slave Passes Away
Upper Alton News - The funeral
of an aged colored woman known as Aunt Jane Griswold will be
held at 2 o'clock in the Baptist church at Salu tomorrow. Mrs.
Griswold was past eighty years of age and as may be said of most
of the older residents of Salu belonging to the negro race, she
was at one time a slave. She was the mother of the blind colored
minister, Mr. Griswold.
GROLMES, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
April 21, 1905
Death at Lakeview: Miss Annie Grolmes,
aged 19, died at midnight Thursday after an illness of three
months at the home of her father, Joseph Grolmes. Arrangements
had been made for performing a surgical operation on the young
lady today to relieve bladder trouble, but death intervened. The
funeral will be held Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the family
home to St. Elizabeth's church at Mitchell, where services will
be conducted by Rev. Fr. Meyers.
GROLMES,
JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 20, 1917
Joseph Gromles, aged 72, a well known farmer at Canal Station,
died yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock after a lingering illness
from a complication of diseases. He has been a resident of Canal
Station for many years. His wife died eleven years ago. He is
survived by several children. The funeral will be held Monday
afternoon at the home, and the burial will be in the cemetery at
Mitchell.
GROLMES, UNKNOWN WIFE OF JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, February 20, 1907
The funeral of Mrs. Joseph
Grolmes was held Tuesday from St. Elizabeth's church at
Mitchell, where a Requiem High Mass was said by Rev. Fr. Meyers,
who was assisted by Rev. Thomas Cusack of Morrisonville and Rev.
P. Kaenders of Venice.
GROSH, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 10, 1908
Death Claims Alton's Police Magistrate
Frank
Grosh, police magistrate, one of the most useful citizens Alton
ever had, died Wednesday morning at his home, 719 east Fourth
street, after a long illness. Patience and fortitude were the
special distinguishing characteristics of Mr. Grosh. He was a
man of the strongest principle, and he never would waver a
single moment when it came to a point where he could make a
choice between performing a hard duty or making an easy evasion
of it by doing something else which no one would have condemned.
He always did his full duty as he saw it, and he was generally
right. In his long illness and in his death he carried with him
the sympathy of an immense circle of friends who hoped, until
there was no longer reason for hope, that he might get well, and
then they hoped that his death might be easy. When he was first
taken ill several years ago, from the effects of a fall he
sustained, and which was not supposed to have had serious
results, he was brave as a soldier facing certain death.
Although not a member of any church, Mr. Grosh lived his
religion as consistently and faithfully as any person did. When
in time of danger he was brave enough to kneel on the floor of
the operating room in the hospital in the presence of witnesses
and offer a prayer that the outcome might be for the best. He
wanted to live for the sake of his wife and two boys, whom he
felt needed his care and guidance. He never feared death an
instant, but would talk of his approaching end as calmly as if
it was some holiday party he expected to experience soon.
Throughout the long, painful struggle he was a man in every
particular. He faced death as gamely as he had borne his
suffering. He underwent three surgical operations to relieve the
cancerous growth which had begun to sap his strength. Although
the operations resulted in conditions of his body which would
have made most men give up without a struggle, Mr. Grosh
declared that he wanted to live as long as he could and break
the record for such operations. It is said that he accomplished
his ambition. Nothing but willpower kept him up. Dad after day
he would struggle manfully to the police court and preside at
the trial of cases. Many times he would be too weak to stand the
strain and the effect would be bad, but he refused to give up
the fight. He was elected police Magistrate one year ago last
April. He was comparatively unknown then, but he soon made good
in the esteem of everyone. He dealt justice in an fact manner.
For first offenders he had no severity, only kindly admonitions,
and often he would impose a penalty, then parole the accused and
require him to report frequently to satisfy him the parole was
being kept. In handling cases of children, he was especially
satisfactory and effective. For wife beating and abandonment
cases he had his own ideas. He would give no mercy to a man who
had mistreated his wife or his child. When pleas on fraternal
grounds would be made to him by men of his own trade, he would
frankly say that none need be expected. When a friend came
before him, the same justice was meted as to another, as he
always said his friends should know better than to get into
trouble.....Frank Grosh was born in Baltimore, Md., and was 45
years of age. He leaves his wife and two sons. His father, who
came here to be with "his boy," was downtown at the time the
collapse came and did not reach him in time to say farewell. The
death was expected for several nights. Tuesday night it was
thought he would not survive until morning, but he seemed
brighter when daylight came. The improvement was just the
beginning of the collapse. He had made arrangements for his
departure and had asked that he be taken back to Baltimore for
burial. This will probably be done. He was a member of Piasa
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Alton, Aerie F. O. E., and Robin Hood
camp, Modern Woodmen.
GROSHAN, FREDERICK (FRED)/Source: Alton Daily Telegraph,
December 9, 1887
Former Soldier with General Custer Dies in
Ice House Accident in St. Charles
Fred Groshan, the
unfortunate man who was instantly killed by the accident, was a
German living in Upper Alton, where he had resided several
years. He had recently bought a little home there and moved into
it. He was a man of middle age, and was formerly a cavalry
soldier in the regular army. He was with General Custer's
regiment at the time that officer and the great part of his
command were slaughtered by the Indians. Groshans was one of the
few survivors of that terrible massacre. He leaves a wife and
three little children. His wife's maiden name was Sarah
Caldwell. She lived at the home of Mrs. Prof. Marsh for several
years, and was married there. [Groshan is buried in the Upper
Alton Oakwood Cemetery.
GROSHAN, IRENE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 22, 1900
Young Servant Girl Found Floating in Cistern
The body of a
servant girl whose name could not be learned was found this
afternoon in a cistern at the residence of Mrs. Mary Atwood on
Euclid avenue. The girl was missed two weeks ago when she
disappeared from the house and told no one of her departure. She
did not return for her clothes and her action was unaccountable.
This afternoon while someone was drawing water from the cistern,
an object was stirred up in the water. The horrified person
called for assistance, and a search was made. A piece of hair
had been recovered from a body at last report, and it is certain
the object seen in the water was that of a human being. Full
details could not be learned because of the lateness of the
hour.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 23,
1900
Upper Alton News - The funeral services of Miss
Irene Groshan, the young girl whose body was found in the
cistern at the Atwood home in Middletown yesterday, were held at
11 o'clock this morning from the residence of her mother, Mrs.
Robert Marquis. Miss Irene Groshan was 16 years of age. Her
father, Frederick Groshan, was killed in an accident at an ice
house in Upper Alton thirteen years ago. He was at one time a
soldier. The funeral services were very brief and were private.
Rev. J. A. Large officiated. Her family can assign no reason for
her deed.
GROSS, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October
28, 1904
Annie, the 5 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
George Gross of 1216 Gold street, died Friday morning after a
short illness from diphtheria at the family home. The funeral
was held Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock, is private, and burial
was in Greenwood cemetery. The death of the child is the second
one in the family within two weeks. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Gross
died at St. Joseph's hospital from injuries he sustained by
being pinched between two cars at the glass works last week.
GROSS, FRED/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 16, 1910
Young Drug Clerk Drowned In River After Night's Fishing
Fred Gross,
a drug clerk, who was employed in the pharmacy at Sixth and
Spring streets, was drowned Tuesday morning about daybreak while
swimming in the river on the Missouri shore above a point
opposite the water works, with Charles Miller of 1008 east Sixth
street, who also was employed in the drug store. The young man
had gone out in a skiff Monday night about midnight to take a
ride on the river. They told Capt. Fluent they wanted to go
fishing and get cooled off. According to young Miller, who
returned about 6:30 o'clock Tuesday morning to the Fluent dock
with the skiff and Gross's clothes in it, they spent the night
out on the river and intended to do some fishing. At daybreak
they began fishing and Gross caught an eel. Then they decided to
take a plunge in the river and went up a little farther to a
sandbar. Miller says that they waded out a long distance and
then started wading back. Suddenly Gross, who claimed to be a
very good swimmer, complained of having a cramp. Miller claims
that he heard Gross shout to get a boat and that he started for
the shore to get it and that when he turned around and looked
for his companion he was nowhere to be seen. When he reported
the fact at Fluent's dock, a telephone message was sent to the
employer of the two young men, O. G. Roney, who recently bought
the Bond pharmacy in Alton. Mr. Roney was in Olney. He gave
directions to make a search for the body, which was up the river
on the Missouri shore. Miller was notified to go along with the
searchers and attempt to help locate the body, as he alone knew
about where the drowning occurred. Gross, who was 26 years of
age, came here to assist Mr. Roney in the drug store, and
Miller, who had been working here, was remaining to show the
stock and help straighten it up. It was after their day's work
that they started out to spend the night on the river. Miller is
19 years of age and is a son of the late Joseph Miller, who
conducted a grocery store at Second and State streets for many
years. According to Capt. Fluent, the boat in which the two
young men went out was in good condition when it came back and
appeared to have been cared for well. According to Miller the
two young men kept awake all night. Gross had been threatened
with consumption and his physician had advised him to stay in
the open air. For that reason he came to Alton to help his
friend Roney open the drug store, and he intended to spend as
much time as possible on the river. They built a fire on
arriving at the spur dike on the Missouri shore, opposite the
Job quarry. At daybreak they went swimming, after fishing
awhile, and Gross got in a deep hole where an eddy has washed
out the sand, where it poured through a dike hole. The hole is
about 20 feet in depth and is surrounded by sand bars, which
would prevent the body being carried out. Capt. W. D. Fluent
went to the scene of the drowning about 9 a.m. and returned
later with tackle for dragging for the body. Gross had just
returned from visiting his father at Olney, who is a retired
businessman and is very ill. The father sent word that every
means of recovering the body should be used, and he said he
would stand all the expenses. Ernest Bowers, a relative of
Gross, was sent here this noon to take charge of the body. Capt.
Fluent dragged the pool several hours, then gave up, and in the
afternoon took up a seine and tried that to find the body.
According to Miller, there is good ground to believe that Gross,
by mental suggestion, got the cramps. Gross was wading in
shallow water and kept talking of cramps, although he did not
have them, and when he got in deep water he called for help.
Miller went to him, he says, and held him up until he could
breathe, then Gross turned on his back and began swimming. A few
seconds later Gross shouted to get the boat, and when Miller
went for it he lost sight of Gross. This part of the story told
by Miller may furnish interesting food for guessing as to the
possibility of a man imagining he was taken with cramps until he
lost his power to help himself.
GROSS, J.
W./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16, 1914
The
funeral of J. W. Gross was held at St. Patrick's Church at nine
o'clock this morning. A requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev.
Father Kehoe, which was attended by a large number of relatives
and friends....The pall bearers were Elmer Gilworth, James
Roach, John Dick, August Goeken and T. Siebert. The offerings of
flowers were numerous. Interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
GROESHEIM, GEORGE/Source: Alton Telegraph, August 14, 1884
Mr. George Groesheim, a native of Germany, a resident of Alton
since 1853, died last night at the age of 58 years, after an
illness of about two weeks, caused by quick consumption.
Deceased left a widow and several children to mourn his death.
GROSSHEIM, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 28,
1915
George Grossheim, former City Council
member, aged 55, died at 2 o'clock this afternoon at his home on
Sixth and Oak streets on the same lot where he was born and had
lived during his entire life. Mr. Grossheim's death came about
after an illness which extended over a number of years. For past
few months his death had been expected at any time. He is
survived by his wife, Mary, one brother, John; two sisters, Mrs.
Minard Joehl and Mrs. Sebastian Miller; four sons, Joe, Charles,
John and Alphone; and two daughters, Thresa and Bertha, all of
whom live in the city of Alton. Mr. Grossheim worked for many
years as a pot setter for the Illinois Glass Co. The extreme
heat to which he was forced to expose his body daily while at
his occupation is believed to have been the cause of his break
in health. He has not worked for a number of years. Before the
breakdown of his health Mr. Grossheim was known for his powerful
strength. His line of work required great power, and he was a
very expert workman. He was a steady, industrious man, and a
good husband and father. During his term of service with the
city he gave the best of satisfaction, notwithstanding his
failing health. He was very favorably known all over the city,
and especially in the eastern part. Recently he served two years
in the City Council as Alderman from the Fourth Ward. His ill
health prevented him from accepting the position again, however,
and he was succeeded by his son, Joseph. For many years he has
been one of the active members of the St. Mary's Church and the
Western Catholic Union. The funeral arrangements had not been
completed at a late hour this afternoon. The funeral will be
held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Mary's church. Mr.
Grossheim was a member of Western Catholic Union, No. 9, and of
the Alton Aerie of Eagles.
GROSSHEIM,
JOACHIM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 10, 1909
Joachim Grossheim, aged 82, died Thursday evening at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Minard Joehl, 811 East Second street,
from senile debility. Mr. Grossheim had been in failing health
for a year, but only three days ago he was taken to his bed by a
breaking down of his whole physical being. He was a native of
Germany, but had lived in Alton since 1855, and all that time he
was a constant attendant at St. Mary's church in Alton. He
leaves four children, George and John Grossheim, Mrs. Minard
Joehl, and Mrs. Sebastian Miller, all of Alton. He leaves also
23 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His coming to Alton
was on his honeymoon trip and he decided to settle here with his
bride and make his home. The funeral will be held tomorrow
morning at 9 o'clock from St. Mary's church.
GROSSMAN,
OTTO/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 1, 1918
The funeral services for Otto Grossman, whose death occurred
Thursday morning at the Nazareth Home, was held this afternoon
at 4 o'clock and were private. Mr. Grossman came to Alton a
quarter of a century ago, and for years was a blower at the
plant of the Illinois Glass company. He was 72 years old. A
widow and two sisters survive.
GROTA, F. H./Source: Alton Telegraph, April 1, 1875
Died
at his residence in Alton, on the March 30, of consumption, Mr.
F. H. Grota; in the 61st year of his age.
GROUND, ANNIE/Source: Alton Telegraph, November 25, 1880
Died at her home in Upper Alton, of consumption, Thursday,
November 18, 1880, Mrs. Annie, wife of Mr. O. B. Ground. Mrs.
Ground was born in Ohio, March 31, 1838. She was married to her
now bereaved husband on Christmas Eve, in the year 1856. Came
with her family to Upper Alton thirteen years ago. She has been
a great sufferer for twelve years. She bore her ills with a
patient and uncomplaining spirit. She had a strong desire to
live. A short time before she died, she said to her nurse while
in great pain, the Lord has sent this suffering to make me
willing to die. She leaves a husband, two children, and many
friends to mourn their loss.
GROUND,
JAMES LOOMIS/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 24, 1846
Died at Marinetown, Madison County, Illinois, on the morning of
the 7th January instant, Mr. James Loomis Ground. The deceased
was the second son of the late Captain James Ground, and was
born at the city of Lincoln, England, on the 9th(?) day of
January, 1807. His father immigrated to this state in 1819, and
was among the first settlers in what is called the Marine
Settlement, and where the deceased has ever since resided,
universally esteemed, an industrious citizen, a kind and
obliging neighbor, and an honest man. He has left a large circle
of friends and neighbors to mourn his death. May they receive
consolation from the promises of a brighter hereafter, where
there shall be no more sorrow or death, but the glory of
immortal life.
GROUND, OLIVER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 20,
1900
Upper Alton Pioneer Dead
Oliver Ground,
a well known resident of Upper Alton, and one of the oldest
citizens of the place, died yesterday afternoon after along
illness. He was 67 years of age, and had been an invalid many
years. Fifteen years ago he fell from a horse, and from the
injuries he sustained paralysis set in and gradually extended
over his body until it caused his death. He was formerly
proprietor of the Madison Mill, which occupied the building at
the northeast corner of Second and Washington streets, and he
conducted this with the assistance of his son. He went to Upper
Alton forty years ago, and has been one of the prominent men of
the village since settling there. He leaves two children, Mrs.
Mark Dickson of Upper Alton, and Harry Ground of St. Louis. The
funeral will take place Friday afternoon, and services will be
conducted at the family home.
GRUBBS, W. J./Source: Troy Weekly Call, October 19, 1907 -
Submitted by Marsha Ensminger
W. J. Grubbs Struck by Fast
Train at Depot
The Vandalia railroad crossing at the
depot added another to its long list of victims last Saturday
evening in the person of W. J. Grubbs, a farm laborer, of whom
but little is known here. The lifeless body of Grubbs was found
early Sunday morning by Watchman Tierney when he arrived at the
little watch house at the crossing. The body lay on the side of
the track west of the crossing near the Enterprise elevator and
had evidently been struck by a westbound train. Mr. Tierney
reported the matter to the authorities and the body was removed
to the undertaking establishment of J. H. Stienhans & Son and
the coroner notified. Grubbs had only been about Troy for a
short time. He worked for Fred Liebler last week at cutting corn
and was paid off last Saturday morning. During the forenoon he
called at the postoffice and secured a sheet of paper and an
envelope then went out to have a letter written. Henry Stienhans
wrote the letter which was addressed to R. H. Burtches at Rolla,
Mo. In accordance with Grubb's dictation the letter stated
briefly that a money order for $5.00 was enclosed. Later Grubbs
called at the post office and secured a money order which was
enclosed in the letter and mailed. Grubbs remained about town
all day Saturday and drank freely. He was considerably under the
influence when he arrived at Raber's saloon near the depot and
after stopping at that place for a while stated he was going up
the track. It was about 8:30 when he left and Mr. Raber warned
him to look out for a fast train, which was about due, and
Grubbs replied that no fast train was going to catch him. That
was the last seen of him alive. The train came along in a few
minutes and was doubtless the one which hurled Grubbs to his
death.
Coroner Streeper arrived from Alton Sunday afternoon
to hold the inquest and empanelled a jury composed of J. N.
Jarvis, foreman; Herman Schmidt, H. F. Miller, W. S.
Neuenschwander, Martin Wittmann and Henry F. Stienhans, clerk.
The circumstances leading up to the case and the finding of the
body was the only evidence that could be introduced and the jury
accordingly rendered a verdict of purely accidental death. The
body of Grubbs was all intact, but both legs were broken and
there were a number of contusions on the body. He was about 45
years old and had a cataract on his right eye. The remains were
held for a time pending the arrival of information from Rolla,
but as no word came interment was made at the expense of the
county in the potter's field in the Alton City Cemetery.
GRUSE,
JOSEPHINE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 29, 1902
Mrs. Josephine Gruse, aged 84, died Monday afternoon at her home
after an illness of twelve days with inflammatory rheumatism.
She was born in Germany, but came to Alton more than fifty years
ago and had lived here ever since. She was well known in a large
circle of friends, and beside her family she leaves many to
deplore her death. The funeral will take place Wednesday morning
at 9 o'clock from St. Mary's church.
GRUVER, DANIEL/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 27, 1880
From
Edwardsville – Daniel Gruver, an old citizen of this county,
died at his residence in Edwardsville today at noon, in the 65th
year of his age. The deceased had been confined to his bed with
sickness for several weeks. Uncle Daniel was highly respected by
a large number of friends who sympathize with his widow in this
her sad bereavement. The funeral will take place from the M. E.
Church in Edwardsville tomorrow.
GRUVER, FRANCES/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 22, 1881
From Edwardsville – Mrs. Frances Gruver, relict of the late
Daniel Gruver, deceased, died at her residence in Edwardsville
last Friday. Her funeral occurred on Saturday, and was largely
attended.
GSCHWEND,
OLIVIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 28, 1901
Olivia Gschwend, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Gschwend,
died this morning after a three days illness with diphtheria.
The insidious disease did not show itself until three days
before it produced death. The funeral will be Wednesday morning
at 9 o'clock, and will be in private at St. Joseph's cemetery.
GUCCIONE, LUCIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 22,
1918
Mother Burned in Gasoline Explosion - Dies at Hospital
A
gasoline explosion occurred this morning at Wood River in which
a mother, while hurrying up a fire with gasoline, was fatally
burned, and the husband and several children were also burned.
The tragedy is made all the more pathetic by the fact that she
leaves behind six children, ranging from 13 downward to a child
in her arms, hardly a year of age. Mrs. Lucia Guccione, aged 32,
wife of Samuel Guccione, an Italian, arose this morning at 5:30
to start the fire to prepare breakfast for her husband, who
works as a laborer at the Standard Oil refinery. She reached
after what she thought was the can of coal oil in her hurry, she
is supposed to have picked up the gasoline can by mistake. When
the match was applied to the gasoline soaked kindling, the fumes
caught afire and the flames communicated to the gasoline can,
which exploded. The mother was enveloped in flames, and began
screaming in pain when the father rushed towards her attempting
to throw a blanket about her. The little ones clinging about the
skirts of their mother and were burned. The father was badly
burned on both arms before he succeeded in getting the fire put
out. One of the children, aged 10, was burned badly on the face
and neck, and two others received slight burns. The mother was
badly burned on all parts of the body, and there seemed little
hope for her recovery. Dr. William E. Barton was called and did
what he could in the emergency, then ordered her taken to St.
Joseph's Hospital for further treatment. She died shortly after
being taken to the hospital. The father and child who were the
worst burned were also given treatment at the hospital.
GUDELL,
EDWARD/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 9, 1899
Edward
Gudell, the nineteen years old son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman E.
Gudell, died at 2:45 o'clock Sunday afternoon after a week's
illness with pneumonia resulting from the grippe. Ed was
employed at J. A. Ryrie's grocery until the time of his illness.
From exposure he contracted the grippe and was unable to go to
work Tuesday morning, becoming seriously ill from the beginning.
The grippe developed into pneumonia and he rapidly grew worse
and the family and physician could only fear the worst. Ed was a
boy who might be said to approach almost to faultlessness. In
all his work, he was conscientious, always striving to look
after the interests of his employer. Several years ago he began
carrying the Telegraph and later became collector, continuing in
that capacity until a year ago. In every way he was honest,
careful, faithful, and his many good characteristics called
forth much praise from his employers. His death is one that is
keenly felt and much to be regretted. No doubt the future
contained much that was bright for the young man, had he but
lived to enjoy it. To all his acquaintances, Ed's death is a
personal loss and the afflicted parents will have many to
sympathize with them with true sympathy. He was a member of Home
Forum Benefit Order and the funeral will be under the auspices
of that society Tuesday afternoon. Services at the Evangelical
church.
GUEDELL, HERMAN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 4,
1920
Oldest Alton Grocer Dies From Pneumonia....Veteran of
Civil War
Herman Guedell died
Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock at the family home, Sixth and Henry
streets, after an illness of one week. His death was due to
complications of pneumonia and old age. He had been suffering
for some time from arterial hardening and though his pneumonia
was not so serious, he was not able to withstand it because of
his otherwise weakened condition. Mr. Guedell was born in
Bremen, Germany, April 6, 1843 and was in his 77th year. He came
to this country in 1858, and soon thereafter to Alton. He began
in the grocery business in 1859 and continued in that work until
the outbreak of the Civil War when he volunteered as private in
the first Missouri artillery. He served three years in the Union
army receiving an honorable discharge in May 1864. He had been
wounded at the battle of Shiloh, disabling him for further
military service. Returning to Alton, he continued in the
grocery business and remained in the business up to the time of
his death. For thirty-four years he had been in business at
Sixth and Henry streets. He was married May 30, 1864, and to the
couple seven children were born. Three of them died years ago.
The oldest son, Edward, died twenty years ago. He leaves three
daughters, Sophia, Margaret and Lena. The funeral will be
private, owing to the fact that death was due to pneumonia. It
will be held Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock and services
will be conducted by Rev. O. W. Heggemeier. Burial will be in
the City cemetery. Mr. Guedell's death closes the life of
perhaps the oldest grocer in the city of Alton. His business
activity covered a longer period than any other person in that
line of business in the city. His store was always a model of
neatness. He was one of the old fashioned type of grocers. His
store was much frequented by school children from the
neighboring school house, to whom the Guedell store was an
institution that ministered much to their comforts.
GUEDELL, RINA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 3, 1915
Mrs. Rina Gudell, aged 74, died Thursday evening at 7:15
o'clock at her residence, _80 Henry street, after an illness of
three months, due chiefly to weakness of old age. Mrs. Gudell
had been a resident of Alton since she was a child. She was born
in Germany and came to Alton at a very early age and had lived
here ever since. She was known in connection with a grocery
store her husband conducted at Sixth and Henry streets for many
years. Mrs. Gudell leaves besides her husband, three daughters:
Maggie, Sophie and Lena Gudell of Alton. Mrs. Gudell was known
as a good mother, a very kind and thoughtful neighbor and she
was respected by all who knew her. She leaves a large number of
friends, especially among her neighbors, who were very attentive
to her and who have been deeply interested in her state of
health. Mrs. Rina Guedell, nee Eirhausen, was born May 26th,
1841, at Otfreissland, Hanover, Germany. After being confirmed
in the church of her native town, she came to this country with
her parents at an age of 14 years. On this voyage one of her
sisters passed away. For a time Mrs. Guedell made her home in
Godfrey and then came to Alton. Her parents passed away a few
years after they had settled in Madison County. Mrs. Guedell was
married to Herman Guedell on May 30th, 1864. To this union seven
children were born. Three of these passed away in infancy and
Edward, who died at 20 years. Mrs. Guedell was a long and
faithful member of the German Evangelical Church and Ladies' Aid
Society. The interest of the church always occupied a great room
in her life, being a faithful attendant at the services and
always lending a helping hand. Funeral services will be held
Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from the family home, corner Sixth
and Henry streets. Rev. E. L. Mueller will officiate.
GUERNSEY, SYLVANUS/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 6, 1836
Notice is hereby given that on the first Monday in the month of
July, I will apply to the court of probate of Madison county,
Illinois, for a final settlement of the estate of Sylvanus
Guernsey, late of Madison county, deceased. All persons having
claims against said estate are hereby requested to present them
at said time and place for adjustment. Sarah L. Guernsey.
GUERRANT, ROBERT A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 18,
1914
Old Confederate Prisoner Dies - Came to Alton
Unwillingly, But Settled Down Here to Live
Robert A. Guerrant, one of
the confederate soldiers who was confined in the prison in Alton
during the Civil War, died this morning at his home in East
Alton at the age of 70, after a three weeks' illness with
cerebral hemorrhage. Guerrant was born and reared in Missouri,
and when the war broke out enlisted as a Confederate soldier.
Towards the end of the war he was captured while with Gen.
Price's men in Missouri and was imprisoned in Alton where he was
kept until an exchange of prisoners was made. He settled here
[Alton] after being liberated. Guerrant leaves his wife, an
adopted daughter, Miss Ada Starkey, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary
E. Hardesty of Beechville, Ill., Mrs. Jennie Ingle of
Beechville, Ill., and Mrs. Olivia Wallendorff of Deer Plain,
Ill. The two latter sisters are expected to arrive this
afternoon. Robert Hardesty, of Beechville, Ill., Frank Delonay
of Alton, James Anderson of Beechville, Ill., nephews, and Mrs.
Bertha Wachtel of Upper Alton, were at the Guerrant home at the
time of the death. The funeral will be held Sunday morning at 10
o'clock at the East Alton Baptist Church. The burial will be in
Milton Cemetery.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
June 22, 1914
The funeral of Robert A. Guerrant was held
Sunday morning at 10 o'clock from the East Alton Baptist Church,
where services were conducted by Rev. D. C. Blunt of Upper
Alton. Burial was in Milton Cemetery. Mr. Guerrant was a
Confederate Soldier who came to Alton as a prisoner of war, and
after being released at the close of the war he remained here,
marrying and settling down for the remainder of his life. He was
highly esteemed by all who knew him well.
GUERTLER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF PETER SR./Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, August 24, 1903
Mrs. Peter Guertler Sr. died
at 4:15 o'clock Sunday afternoon at her home on upper Alby
street. She suffered a paralytic stroke two weeks ago from which
she never rallied. Mrs. Guertler was aged 78 years and 9 months.
She was born in Baden, Germany, December 13, 1824. She came to
America in 1846, and she has been a resident of Alton over
fifty-five years. She was an estimable lady, beloved by all who
knew her. She leaves beside her aged husband, one son, Peter
Guertler Jr., four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren,
and one sister, Mrs. Francis Tillner of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Funeral arrangements are not complete.
GULZWILLER, ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Telegraph, March 15, 1850
Died at about half-past twelve on Monday morning last,
Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Peter Gulzwiller, of Alton, aged five
years. The deceased was in usual good health on Sunday morning,
when she was suddenly struck down by the hand of death, which
brought her mortal existence to a close in the course of a few
hours.
GUM, GUY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 28, 1913
Guy Gum, who formerly conducted the Piasa Hotel and restaurant
on Piasa street, where the Lafayette hotel now is, died this
morning at the Gum hotel on Weiglar street, after a sickness
extending over a period of six years. He was forced to retire
from the restaurant business because of his bad health, and for
the most part since then he has been bedfast, or nearly so. His
troubles were of a pulmonary nature and at times he would
apparently be recovering. He is survived by his wife and four
sisters, Mrs. J. E. Russell, Mrs. Lida Lemon, Mrs. Pres. Hubbard
of Alton, and Mrs. Luther Hester of San Francisco, Cal. The time
of the funeral has not been set. Guy was the fourth member of
the Gum family to die within the past four years, his mother
being the first to go. His father, Perry Gum, died next, and a
few months ago a sister, Mrs. Richard Linder, passed away. The
funeral will be Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock from the family
home, and burial will be in the Fosterburg cemetery.
GUM, PERRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 30, 1911
Hotel
Keeper's Body Laid to Rest
The funeral of Perry Gum
was held this morning from the home at Henry and Weigler
streets, where a very large crowd of neighbors, friends and
acquaintances had gathered to pay their last respects. Services
were conducted by Rev. S. D. McKenney of the Cherry Street
Baptist Church, and the funeral cortege then proceeded to
Montgomery cemetery near Bethalto, and other Wood River township
residents had gathered at the cemetery and remained for the
services conducted there. The Odd Fellows attended the funeral
in large numbers, and all of the pallbearers were Odd Fellows.
Floral offerings were very numerous, and some of the designs
very beautiful. Mr. Gum was a very tall man, about six feet,
seven inches, and he weighed more than 250 pounds. The coffin
was too long to permit turning in the hall of the home, and it
had to be taken from the room where it had lain in state for a
few days, through a bay window. Dozens of hands received it on
the outside and carried it reverently to the waiting hearse. The
pallbearers were Mayor Benbow, James T. Moore, Theodore Hemken,
Harry McDermott, Fred Hebner and William Miller.
GUM, UNKNOWN WIFE OF GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
January 12, 1920
Mrs. George Gum died Sunday morning at
6:20 at the family home, 2506 Salu street, after a brief
illness. As stated in Saturday's paper, Mrs. Gum's death was
expected. She had undergone a slight nasal operation on
Thursday, and her condition immediately became worse and the end
came early Sunday morning. Mrs. Gum leaves her husband and six
children to mourn her death. The children are Mrs. Hallie Jonett
of White Hall; Mrs. Pearl Williams of Fosterburg; Mrs. Alva
Grange of Wood River; Mrs. Emma Rangolth of Shipman; and two
sons: Dewey and Frank of Alton. The family moved to their
present home last October. Mrs. Gum was born at Richland,
Kentucky, September 12, 1868, and at the time of her death she
was 51 years 2 months and 30 days old. The funeral was held this
afternoon at the College Avenue Baptist church, and services
were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Dr. David T. Ma_______. The
services were attended by a large number of friends and
relatives of the family, and many pretty flowers were sent as
tokens of sympathy for the bereaved ones. Burial was at Oakwood
cemetery.
GUM, UNKNOWN WIFE OF PERRY/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, December 17, 1906
Mrs. Perry Gum, wife of the
well known hotel keeper, died Sunday night at her home, Third
and Henry streets, as a result of a paralytic stroke suffered by
her Sunday morning at 9 o'clock. Mrs. Gum, who was about 70
years of age, had not been well all summer, but rallied
considerably in the fall, and was able to be up around for
several weeks prior to her last illness. She is survived by her
husband and six children, five daughters and a son. The
daughters are Mrs. Lydia Lemon, Mrs. Pres. Hubbard, and Mrs. J.
E. Russell of Alton; and Mrs. Richard Linder of East Alton.
Another married daughter lives out west. The son is Guy Gum,
proprietor of the Piasa hotel and restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Perry
Gum were married 50 years ago last October, and are well and
favorably known in Madison, Bond and Montgomery Counties. The
funeral will probably be held Wednesday morning. The body will
be taken to the Montgomery cemetery south of Bethalto and buried
beside those of her children, who preceded her to the other
world.
GUNDALL, ADAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 8,
1916
Death of Pioneer Cooper
Adam Gundall,
who conducted a cooper shop in Alton for thirty years or more,
when coopering was a pioneer and money-making industry, died
Tuesday afternoon after an illness with dropsy, which became
very serious a few weeks ago. Since that time he has been at the
Nazareth Home under the care of trained nurses. He was born in
Germany in 1837 and came to Alton as a young man. He was a
cooper by trade and he operated a cooper shop on East Broadway
for thirty years or more when barrels were all handmade and
cooperating was a lucrative trade. After the use of barrels was
abandoned for sacks by flouring mills of the country, he sold
his shop to the Schaeperkotter family and they converted it into
a steam cooper shop and are running it yet. A year or so ago he
worked at his trade one summer and made more barrels daily and
more money than many of the younger men, it is said, and was
proud of the feat, which was remarkable considering his age. He
was a kindly man, a good citizen and neighbor, and a devoted
father. He is survived by his son, Will, of this city, his wife
and other members of the family having passed away some time
ago. The funeral will be held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from
the Nazareth Home where a funeral mass will be said by Rev.
Joseph Meckel of St. Mary's church. Burial will be in St.
Joseph's cemetery.
GUNDALL, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 8,
1907
Charles Gundall, the Bethalto man who was injured
last Thursday by falling while attempting to alight from a
moving Big Four train at the Bethalto depot, died Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the funeral was held Tuesday
afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Bethalto Catholic church.
Gundall's foot was crushed so that it was found necessary to
amputate it below the knee. The old man did not rally from the
shock of the operation. He was 73 years of age and has a brother
in Alton, whom he was visiting the day he was hurt, and it was
while returning home he received the fatal injury. He was well
known at Bethalto, having been engaged in business there for
many years.
GUNDALL, UNKNOWN WIFE OF ADAM/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, March 19, 1913
The funeral of Mrs. Adam
Gundall was held this afternoon at 3 o'clock from St. Mary's
church, and burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery. There was a
large attendance of friends and relatives at the funeral.
GUNN, WILLIAM C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 12, 1921
William C. Gunn, aged 76 years, died this morning at the
home of his son, Harvey Gunn, at 614 Washington Avenue, after
suffering for two weeks with paralysis. He had been in poor
health for the past seven years but was not confined to his bed
until two weeks ago. He has been a resident of Alton for the
past twenty years coming here from Girard, Ill. He is survived
by nine children, namely, Charles and Jeff Gunn of Manhattan;
Orvie Gunn of Kansas City; and Harvey Gunn of Alton. The
daughters are Mrs. J. R. Bunch of Manhattan; Mrs. Lena Pettijohn
of Oxford, Nebr.; Mrs. James Robertson and Mrs. Harold Cheesman
of Alton; and one brother, Robert Gunn of Granite City. Funeral
services will be held at 2 o'clock from the family home on
Washington Avenue Sunday afternoon, interment in Oakwood
Cemetery.
GUSEWELLE, JOHANN CONRAD/Source: Edwardsville
Intelligencer, March 9, 1897 - Submitted by Marsha Ensminger
Conrad Gusewelle, of Liberty Prairie, a well known and long
time resident of the county, died Saturday morning at eleven
o'clock after an illness of less than a week. He became ill with
pneumonia, a week ago Sunday and like many others in that
vicinity became a victim to its malignancy. The funeral took
place yesterday afternoon from his late residence, where
services were conducted by Rev. A. Meyer, of the Evangelical
Church. The pallbearers were: Z. B. Owen, Henry Stahlhut, Aug.
Broecking, Fred Hepke, Wm. Reiter and Henry Pape. Mr. Gusewelle
was a native of Germany and came to this country as a young man.
He was a twin brother of Gottlieb Gusewelle, who died of the
same disease just a week before. He was married twice and leaves
to mourn his death his wife and nine children. [his wives were
Anna M. Kung (20 Jan 1848 - 3 Dec 1869) and Engel M. Bartels (
20 Jan 1853 - 8 Dec 1932)]
GUST,
CLARA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, 1929
Mrs. Clara Gust,
mother of Mrs. Peter LeFaivre of 974 Whitelaw avenue, Wood
River, died at 5 a.m. today at the home of her daughter after an
illness of a week. Mrs. Gust was born in Mankato, Minn., and was
in her seventy-first year. For the past 12 years she had made
her home in Wood River. In addition to Mrs. LeFaivre, three
other daughters, Mrs. David Davis of Black Walnut, Mo., Mrs.
John Connoyer of West Alton, Mo., and Mrs. John Rohour of
Hartford, survive. Mrs. Gust also leaves five sons, Frank,
Louis, George, Leo and Irwin of Portage de Sioux, Mo. The body
will be taken to the home of her daughter in Black Walnut
Thursday afternoon and funeral services will be held Saturday at
9 a.m. from St. Francis church at Portage de Sioux. Burial will
be in St. Francis cemetery at Portage. Friends are asked to omit
flowers.
GUSTINE, WILLIAM P./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April
22, 1914
Husband Suicides When Wife Leaves - Drink Was The
Cause
William P. Gustine was found dead in bed by his
wife at his home, 918 East Fourth street, Tuesday afternoon
after drinking carbolic acid early in the morning. He leaves a
wife and three little children, the oldest being three and one
half years of age, and the youngest eight weeks. It is thought
that Gustine committed suicide because his wife was preparing to
leave him. Gustine was one of the best hearted men in Alton when
not under the influence of intoxicants, but when he was
intoxicated, he caused his wife so much trouble that she had
threatened to leave him. For two weeks, while he was under the
influence of drink, she had been visiting with relatives in St.
Louis. Tuesday morning she returned home and prepared to leave
him for good. She called at his home at six o'clock Tuesday
morning, and told him of her intentions. He begged her to return
and live with him, but she refused, saying that she could not
put up with such a life any longer. Gustine was informed that
his wife would return in the afternoon for her belongings. His
wife told him that if he would give evidence that he could brace
up and be a man, she would return to live with him later on.
Probably the last words Gustine uttered were when he told her
that when she returned she would probably find him there,
although there was a possibility that he might be working in
East Alton. Mrs. Gustine returned to the house at noon, but
found the house locked and made no effort to force an entrance.
In the afternoon when she again found the house locked, she
decided to force the door to get her belongings. After forcing
the lock she found her husband lying across the bed apparently
in a stupor. Efforts to rouse him failed, and she called in the
neighbors. It was discovered that Gustine had drained the
contents of a bottle of carbolic acid. One undertaker said he
had been dead for six or eight hours before being found by his
wife. It is thought that Gustine committed suicide soon after
his wife left the home Tuesday morning.
GUTHRIE, GEORGE W./Source: Alton Telegraph, April 14, 1848
Died on Saturday last, George W., eldest son of Mr. George
Guthrie of Alton, in the 9th years of his age.
GUTHRY, L. KNOX/Source: Alton Telegraph, May 19, 1848
Died
on Saturday last, L. Knox, son of Mr. George Guthry of Alton,
aged 4 years and 6 months.
GUTZWEILLER, PETER/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 26, 1861
Died on the 23rd, Mr. Peter Gutzweiller, aged 55 years. Mr.
Gutzweiller has long been a resident of Alton, and has been
honored by our citizens with office, having served as Alderman
for a number of years. He was quiet and retiring in his
intercourse among his fellow citizens, and leaves many
torn-hearted friends to deplore his loss, besides an interesting
family of his own.
GUY, NETTIE E. (nee DOW)/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 17,
1884
Mrs. Nettie E., wife of Mr. Thomas M. Guy, died Tuesday
at the family residence, corner of Fourth and George Streets.
Deceased was a daughter of Mr. Jonathan Dow, a former resident
of Alton. The remains will be buried at Brighton, leaving
Thursday morning. Deceased was long an invalid, and bore her
protracted sufferings with Christian resignation.
GUY, THOMAS M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 13, 1919
Old Traveling Man Dies - Was Lieutenant in Civil War
Thomas M. Guy, in his 78th year, died at his home, 313 East
Third street, Thursday night at 10:30 o'clock. There was nothing
that was recognized as a warning that the end was near. Mr. Guy
had never been in good health since he was in the army in the
Civil War days, where he served as a lieutenant. He contracted a
fever during the Civil War which left permanent bad effects, and
he was never in robust health thereafter. During the past week
he had been suffering from a slight attack of rheumatism in his
shoulder which seemed to yield to treatment, but about 10
o'clock Thursday night he complained of a recurrence of the
attack. Mr. Guy procured more of the remedy that had given him
help and he said afterward he was easier. Just about that moment
he breathed his last. The end came as he had always hoped it
would come, quietly and peacefully and quickly. Mr. Guy was a
man of deep religious conviction, was an ardent supporter of the
work of the Congregational Church, and was for many years a
teacher in the Sunday school and also was superintendent of the
Sunday school for many years. He was a kindly gentleman, one who
was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was devoted to his
family and his chief interest centered in his home. For many
years Mr. Guy was a traveling salesman for the Paddock-Hawley
Iron Co., of St. Louis, and then he took a position with the
Campbell Iron Co., of St. Louis. He gave up that work a number
of months ago because of his continued decline in strength, due
to advancing age. Mr. Guy was born in Kingston, Canada, December
6, 1841. He came to the United States when a boy and lived at
Jacksonville. It was from there he went as a lieutenant in the
army in the Civil War. He was twice married, first to Annette
Dow, a daughter of Jonathan Dow. Later he married again, and
Mrs. Guy survives him. He leaves but one child, Mrs. R. H.
Levis. Mrs. Guy was before her marriage, Miss Emma Ulrich of
Burlington, Ia. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at
4:30 o'clock from the family home, and entombment will be in the
Grandview Mausoleum.
GVILLO, IRENE LUELLA/Source: Alton Telegraph, April 21, 1881
Died near Fosterburg, April 14, 1881, Irene Luella, daughter of
Ludger and Mary Gvillo, aged 4 years, one month, and 13 days.
GVILLO, LUDGER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 16,
1918
Fosterburg Resident Since 1848; Farmer
Ludger Gvillo,
a resident of the Fosterburg neighborhood almost 70 years and
one of the best-known farmers of that locality, died Sunday
night at 8 o'clock at his home in the village of Fosterburg,
where he had lived five years since retiring from farming. Mr.
Gvillo was 72 years old. He had never been sick in all his life
up to three weeks ago, when his fatal illness started. He had
been very strong and had been very active all his life, a hard
worker and a man who could stand exposure of the worst kind and
never pay any attention to hardships. Just three weeks ago he
became ill with malaria. His condition went from bad to worse,
and he finally gave up and took to his bed. He was under the
care of a physician for the first time in his life, and after
two weeks of illness uraemic poisoning developed and resulted in
his death last evening.
Mr. Gvillo was born in 1848 in
Poland, then under Russian control, and came to America with his
father when he was four years old. His mother died in the old
country before the father and son started for this country. Upon
their arrival here they located at Fosterburg where Mr. Gvillo
spent his life. He was a good farmer and was prosperous from the
start. He owned a good farm many years at Fosterburg, and in
recent years he invested in Florida lands. Five years ago, he
turned the home place over to one of his sons, who has been
farming it since, and Mr. Gvillo bought a home in Fosterburg and
moved to it. During the five years, he made numerous trips to
Florida and took great interest in the development of his land
there and the planting of young fruit trees upon it. Last winter
while in Florida, Mr. Gvillo made a trip to Cuba. He had an
inclination to travel, and during his long life at Fosterburg,
he had traveled a great deal, visiting many parts of the
country.
Gvillo leaves his widow, Mary Suphronia Young
Gvillo [1852-1941], one daughter, and three sons. The children
are: Mrs. May G. Lebegue, wife of Julius V. Lebegue of Seneca,
Illinois [1874-1957]; and Henry, Herbert and Edward Gvillo of
Fosterburg. [Deceased children include: Albert Gvillo
(1873-1876); and Irene Gvillo (1877-1881). The three sons are
among the best known and most progressive farmers in that
section of Madison County. The funeral will take place at 2
o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the home, and burial will be at
Ingersoll Cemetery.
GWYNN, UNKNOWN
Killed During Construction of Baptist
Church in Alton
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 12, 1836
It is
our painful duty to record the occurrence during the past week,
of one of the most distressing accidents which it has ever
befallen our town to experience. As the workmen on the new
church just erected for the Baptist society were completing the
stone work on Saturday evening last, and were about removing the
platforms, the main part of the gable end fell with a tremendous
crash, carrying all before it, staging, joists, &c., with two
men who were at work upon the staging, burying them amid the
stone and rubbish beneath, and literally crushing them to death.
They did not breathe after access was had to them, and it is
supposed they were instantaneously killed. One of the men was a
German by the name of John Hamlun, and the other had but a few
days previous arrived here from Missouri, whose name, we learn,
was Gwynn. How true the language of Holy Writ, that "In the
midst of life we are in death." We know not where the blame of
the accident should rest, if indeed blame is attributable to
anyone; but we are credibly informed, that from the eves of the
building to the peak of the gable end, the work lacked at least
five inches of being plumb.