Obituaries, Page 13

Compiled by Sue Jones.

These obituaries were copied from the 1887 and 1888 Robinson Constitution newspaper.

Obituary of Mrs. William WAKEFIELD, published in The Robinson Constitution 7 Dec 1887
   Thursday, Dec. 1st. Mrs. Wm. Wakefield, after an illness of only a few weeks, passed away, leaving a husband and two small children to mourn her loss. Will had been sick for several weeks with typhoid-fever and was only able to sit up when she died. He and the children have the heartfelt sympathy of all the community.

Obituary of Joseph PIERSON, published in The Robinson Constitution, 14 Dec 1887
   Joseph Pierson, an old settler, aged about 80 years, living three miles southeast of town, died last Thursday night and was buried Saturday. Uncle Joe, as he was familiarly known, had by industry and economy massed a considerable amount of this worlds goods which will go, principally, as is generally the case to, the lawyers.

Obituary of Susan (ESHLEMAN) CLOUSE, published in The Robinson Constitution, 11 Jan 1888
   Susan Clouse nee Eshleman, was born in the State of Ohio, Dec. 14, 1860, removed with her parents to this county when a mere child. Married to Squire Clouse Nov. 16th, 1879. Professed religion and joined the M.E. church with her husband, Dec. 28, 1882, living in the full faith an exemplary Christian life, until Friday, Jan. 6th, 1888; when at her home in Robinson, Ill., in full assurance of her acceptance with God and her home in heaven, she passed away, with that dreaded disease consumption. She leaves a husband, two children, father and mother, and other relatives and numerous friends to mourn her absence. Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church Sunday, at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. Field. The sermon was preached from Amos 4:12, and her body was laid tenderly away to rest in the City cemetery.

Obituary of Mrs. Taylor RICHARD, published in The Robinson Constitution, 3 Aug 1887
   Mrs. Taylor Richard of this city, died very suddenly last Saturday at 12 …m. and just what was the cause of her death seems to be a mystery by the attending physician, and by other physicians of our city, who have been consulted in regard to the case since her death. The rumor afloat on the streets Saturday and Sunday was to the effect that she had died of small-pox, hemorrhagic or blood poisoning was the immediate cause, but as to the remote cause is very likely to remain a mystery. But as to its not being small-pox, there is no doubt. Funeral services was conducted at the house Sunday afternoon by Elder Griggin, and the body was laid to rest in the Robinson cemetery.

Obituary of William RICH, published in The Robinson Constitution, 18 Jan 1888
   William Rich, residing near the southeast corner of Montgomery tp., this county, just in the edge of Lawrence county, died last Friday after a lingering illness of several months. He was a brother of Mr. John B. Rich, of Montgomery township, and about sixty-three years of age. "Bill-dad" Rich, as he was familiarly called by his friends, was one of the biggest hearted men we ever knew. Eccentric in some respects, but withal a good man and citizen. There will be many sad heart in this and Lawrence counties when it is known that Mr. Rich has passed away.

Obituary of William NORTON, published in The Robinson Constitution, 25 Jan 1888
   William Norton an old and highly respected citizen of this vicinity, died very suddenly last Tuesday evening of heart disease. He ate a hearty dinner and expressed himself as feeling better than common. After dinner he said to Mrs. N. he believed he would chop a little for exercise; she was churning and after a while the sound of the axe ceased and she looked out and saw him sitting down on a log, she called to him and as he did not answer she went to him and found that his pulse had ceased beating, but was still warm. She called assistance and carried him into the house. Esquire Higgins and Dr. Maxedon held an inquest which was in accordance with the above facts, as the doctor informed us. He was buried on the home farm in the family cemetery, amid the sorrowing of the family and a large circle of neighbors and friends. He leaves a wife and four sons and one daughter, all married. Mr. Norton was born in New York state in 1808 and came to Illinois with his parents in 1818, and resided in this county until his death.

Obituary of Alexander KINCAID, published in The Robinson Constitution, 21 Mar 1888
   Alexander Kincaid died at his house in Robinson, Ill., March 8th, 1888, aged 87 years, 10 months and 18 days. He was born at Catskill, New York, April 20, 1800, and moved with his father from New York to Pennsylvania from there to Ohio thence to Kentucky, then again to Indiana, till finally in 1841 he settled in Crawford county, Ill. He was married July 6, 1826, in Dearborn county, Ind., to Miss Lucinda Jenna, and again July 16, 1874, to Mrs. Hannah Cory, of Crawford county, Ill. He has one daughter who resides at Paradise, Texas, one at Oaktown, Ind., and a son in Robinson, Ill. He is the eldest of eleven children, all, with the exception of three, of whom he survived; Mrs. Elizabeth Stockman of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Warren Kincaid, of Dillsboro, Ind. And Wm. B. Kincaid, of Indianapolis, Ind. The deceased was of "Scotch-Irish" descent and one of a long lived family whose ancestry is of the old revolutionary "stock." His grandfather having participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but his religion was a religion of the heart. For though a great sufferer for the past eight years, and confined constantly to his invalid chair, he never murmured at the will of Providence, but bore his sufferings with a patience and fortitude that was indeed marvelous, always greeting his old friends with a pleasant smile and a cordial welcome, and those who knew him best loved him most. But he has passed calmly and peacefully away. We shall miss him, the old home will be lonely without him, the old arm chair vacant, yet his memory will long be cherished by those who best knew him.

Obituary of Benjamin Gray, published in The Robinson Constitution, 21 Mar 1888
   Gathered to His Fathers
   "Uncle" Ben Gray, who has spent a great many pleasant days, weeks and months in Robinson, during the past five years, is no more, having passed away on Tuesday of last week at his home in York. The following obituary is taken from the last issue of the West York Advance:
   "Mr. Benjamin Gray was born Jan. 26th, 1810 and died March 13th, 1888, at the advanced age of 78 years, 1 month and 13 days. He was born in Kentucky and in 1818 moved to Sullivan County Ind., where he remained until 1868, when he came to Clark county and resided until 1877. He then spent one year in Sullivan, Ind., after which he returned to York and was a citizen of that place until his death. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Earnest in Sullivan County, in the year 1835. His old companion and helpmate for over 53 years through the storms and sunshines of life's pilgrimage survives him. They had four children, Mrs. G.T. Burks, who resides at York; Lote, who lives west of Marvin; Austin, who is proprietor of the Paris Hotel, and Simon, whose address is Humansville, MO. This is the first death that has ever occurred in the family.
   Uncle Benny never connected himself with any church, though he was more inclined to the Presbyterian doctrine. He was always quiet, sober, honest and as friendly as any could be and many friends extend their best sympathies to the bereft old mother and family. The funeral was held Wednesday.

Obituary of Jesse S. WATKINS, published in The Robinson Constitution, 28 Mar 1888
   Death of an Old and Highly Respected Citizen
   Watkins
   Died - at his residence, about four miles northwest of this city Sunday, afternoon March 25th, 1888, Jesse S. Watkins, aged 72 years and 12 days; after an illness of only a few days. The subject of this memoir was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 28, 1816. His father moved to Perry county, Ohio, when he was quite young, where he was mostly raised. Mr. Watkins came to Illinois in 1847, and located on a farm on section 20, Robinson township, which has since been his home. He first purchased 120 acres, only a part of which was improved, but in a few years rolled along by hard work and strict economy he added several acres to it and at the time of his death owned 206 acres, most all of which was under cultivation. He cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren and voted the Democratic ticket ever afterward. He was married August 15, 1844, in Licking county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Alexander, a daughter of Henry Alexander, Esq. Three children were born unto them two of which are dead: the only child living is the wife of our esteemed fellow citizens, Mr. Alva Hill.
   Mr. Watkins was a kind hearted, quiet unassuming citizen, loved and respected by all who knew him. His remains were interred in the Robinson cemetery Monday. Peace to his honorable ashes.

 

This page last updated on March 18, 2022.