Obituaries, Page 16

Compiled by Sue Jones.

These obituaries were copied from the 1891 Robinson Constitution newspaper.

Obituary of John FOX, published in The Robinson Constitution 1 Jul 1891
   An old and honored citizen of Montgomery township passes away.
   John Fox, born in New Jersey, October 24th, 1808, died June 24th, 1891, being 83 years and 8 months old. He settled near where he ever since lived in Crawford county, in 1819.
   December 12th, 1833 he married Lucinda E. McGahey, she dying he married Mary L. Woodworth April 4th, 1844, and she dying, he married December 25th, 1865, Mary B. McGahey, that loving, patient wife, who for so long a time, has watched over and cared for him in the years of affliction, in a manner that none but a patient companion can. He was the father of seven sons and two daughters. He was one of the most remarkable men of his time, correct in his dealings, honest and upright, unassuming and courteous, his word as good as his bond; a model farmer, he out of the wilderness worked out for himself a home with all the comforts and conveniences necessary, a home indeed for the pioneer Methodist preacher of the early day, as he traveled with his horse and ….. Preaching the gospel wherever he could gather in a few of the neighbors, his veneration for religious sentiment and everything of a moral tendency was very marked. In 1843 Mr. Fox with Wm. J. Crews Thomas Gogin, Robert Hamlin, Arthur Vane and a few others, succeeded in erecting one among the first Methodist churches in the county - Wesley Chapel, thought at that time to e a big undertaking. Also, one of the first Sunday schools was established by Mr. Fox at his own home. He was truly a pioneer in the church, the wilderness; wherever he went, he was foremost in some good work, and now after having been an acceptable member of his church for 65 years, he has finished his work, and surrounded by many of his relatives and friends, lies at rest in that beautiful burial place, that for many years he had kept so neat and tidy; truly a good man has entered his rest and the world is better for his having lived.

Obituary of Peter WILBERT, published in The Robinson Constitution, 4 Mar 1891
   Peter Wilbert, an old and respected citizen residing jut south of town, was found dead in his bed last Saturday morning, having been dead but a few minutes. He went to bed on the evening previous apparently in good health, and when called for breakfast did not answer, on going to his room was found the result as above stated. Mr. Wilbert was born in Germany in March, 1809, and in a few days would have been 82 years old. He and his good wife moved to this county in an early day and settled on the farm where he died. Mr. Wilbert followed his trade as a shoemaker for several years. They were both consistent members of the Lutheran church. On Monday he was laid to rest in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery by the side of his aged wife who died about three years ago.

Obituary of Emma OTEY, published in The Robinson Constitution, 4 Mar 1891
   The Last of Life
   Emma Otey, wife of E. N. Otey, departed this life, February 11th, after two weeks illness, was born near Crawfordsville, Indiana, August 10th, 1864, and resided their until the year 1885, and with her parents moved near Robinson, Crawford county, Illinois, and was united in marriage to E. N. Otey, October 6, 1886, and since resided in Robinson, where she had a large circle of friends and was loved and esteemed by all who knew her. While in childhood, was most dutiful, thoughtful and helpful, so much so, that all who knew her, both old and young spoke with praises for her. Her associates, even those much older than herself came to her for advice and council. While in her youth, at the age of fourteen she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and strived to live a Christian life.

Obituary of Green B. HICKS, published in The Robinson Constitution, 4 Mar 1891
   Green B. Hicks
   The many friends of the above named gentleman in Robinson were pained Monday noon to hear that he had been called to join the silent majority on the morning of that day. Mr. Hicks had been in poor health for several months, and, for the past two months was confined to his bed, most of the time with Brights disease. Death came to his relief at eight o'clock Monday morning. By his death Crawford county loses one of her most exemplary citizens; Hardinsville and her people a man and friend whom it will be hard to replace with another like him; His family a devoted husband and father and the Masonic lodge a true and faithful member.
   G. B. Hicks was born in Crawford county October 23rd 1843, died March 2nd 1891, aged 47 years, 5 months and 19 days. At the age of 10 years he commenced working out by the month for himself and continued working out by the month until 1861 at which time he enlisted in Company G. 7th Mo. Mounted Infantry. In the battle of Raymond, Miss. on May 12th 1863 he received a very painful and dangerous wound. He was discharged on account of his wound on the following October, and came home to his mothers in this county. It was several months after receiving the shot before he could walk, and about two years before it healed up. When he regained his strength, he purchased a farm in Martin township and engaged in farming. After several years of successful farming, he removed to Hardinville and bought a stock of goods, which business he conducted with marked success up to the time of his death. He was married in Lawrence county in 1872 to Nancy E. Sanders, they have four children living. Bettie L. (Douglas) and Lewis Calvin Hicks being the eldest. Mr. Hicks was always a Democrat and took quite an interest in political matters, having served in various town ship offices, being Justice of the Peace for eight years.

Obituary of James FOWLER, published in The Robinson Constitution, 1 Apr 1891
   James Fowler died at the asylum in Kankakee City Tuesday morning, March 24th, after a short illness with pneumonia. His remains were sent home to this city Thursday and were buried in the Robinson cemetery. Mr. Fowler was adjudged of unsound mind on March 24th 1890, and it was hoped by his friends that a cure would be effected. He was about 48 years old and leaves a wife and several children, an aged mother and five brothers, besides many friends in Robinson and Crawford county to mourn his untimely death.

Obituary of Peter BEST, published in The Robinson Constitution, 22 Apr 1891
   Peter Best Dead
   An old citizen of this county, and for the past few years of this city, fell dead in the barn lot of his son John Best, three miles northeast of Oblong, Friday evening April 19th, about six o'clock. Mr. Best was leading a young horse out to the watering trough, his son John was only a short distance from him, and looking around he saw his father stretched out upon the ground; he ran to him, but the breath had left him when he reached his side. Dr. Kibbie was called and pronounced the cause of death that of paralysis of the heart; he had been feeling as well as common during the day, but had been quite feeble for many months past. Peter Best came to this county from Ohio in 1855 and would have been seventy-three years old next month. He leaves a widow, a son and a daughter, the latter being John Best and Mrs. Andy Wertzberger of Oblong township. Mr. Best, by hard work and good management had accumulated considerable of this worlds goods.

Obituary of Mrs. Ella DAVIS, published in The Robinson Constitution, 29 Apr 1891
   The many friends of Mrs. Ella Davis, wife of Ed Davis residing two miles north of town, were shocked last Friday morning to hear of her death. She had been quite severely afflicted with la gripe, but had almost entirely recovered and was able to come down to town the Saturday before; Thursday night near midnight, she was taken seriously ill and passed away at six o'clock am. Friday morning. Mrs. Davis was about thirty years old and leaves two small children motherless, a husband besides other relatives in the county to mourn her death. The burial took place at the Robinson cemetery Saturday afternoon.

Obituary of John B. RICH, published in The Robinson Constitution, 31 May 1891
   John B. Rich after an illness of nine days passes over the river.
   Monday, May the fourth, John B. Rich a prosperous farmer of Montgomery township was in Robinson circulating a paper for the benefit of a widow living in his neighborhood, who had recently lost her home and contents by fire, and succeeded in raising over twenty dollars for her benefit. Little did we think that in ten days he would have been called hence. Mr. Rich went home and on the following Wednesday attended a road trail near Morea returning home in the evening he was somewhat chilled having left home without an overcoat in the morning. He was taken down with pneumonia that night and passed away the following. Thursday evening about 6 o'clock.
   Rev. Mr. Todd? of Vincennes, delivered the funeral discourse at his late residence Friday afternoon when his remains were laid to rest in the St. Paul Cemetery in Lawrence county, with Masonic honors under the auspices of the Russellville Lodge. No. 318? F. and A.M. of Flat Rock, of which he had been an honored member for many years.
   John B. Rich was born in Honey Creek township, Crawford county, about the year 1829, and had been a resident most of the time in Montgomery township. He leaves a widow and three children. Otis Rich a young man of about fifteen summers and S. H. Rich his eldest son, and Mrs. Joe Thompson. Mr. Rich was a good man in the broadest sense of that term and every man, woman and child that ever knew him will feel that they have lost a personal friend, when they hear of his death. He was, in religion an old school Baptist, in politics a Democrat, and his mission in this world was to do good.

Obituary of Mrs. Alonzo (TERRELL) DILLMAN, published in The Robinson Constitution, 22 Jul 1891
   Last Sunday Elder M. V. Hathaway held a basket meeting at Curtis Chapel, out in Oblong township, near the Jasper county line. Alonzo Dillman and wife residing just across the county line, started over to the meeting in a two horse wagon, and while going down a sharp little hill one of the horses began kicking and finally fell on the wagon tongue, breaking it off back of the center, the stub caught in the ground and the wagon reared up, throwing the occupants out and Mrs. Dillman was caught in the wrecked wagon between the doubletrees and wagon box and instantly killed, her neck, one arm and one of her lower limbs being broken, besides one shoulder being mashed into a jelly. Mr. Dillman escaped with slight injury. It happened less than a mile from the Chapel and soon a large crowd gathered to render all assistance in their power. The wagon had to be torn apart before the lifeless body could be extricated.
   Our information is that Mrs. Dillman was only about seventeen years of age, having been married last March, and her maiden name was Terrell, and she was a niece of Andrew Boyd, one of Licking township's good citizens. Funeral services were held Monday, conducted by Elder Hathaway, after which the remains were laid to rest. The Constitution is indebted to Mr. Hathaway for the particulars of the above sad and fatal accident.

Obituary of Mrs. George MINNICK, published in The Robinson Constitution, 12 Aug 1891
   Mrs. George Minnick, of the first ward, aged sixty-two years, died last Saturday evening, after suffering with cancer for four years; it appeared on her nose and she, at that time had it burned out, but the treatment was not successful. The deceased was the widow of George W. Minnick who passed away in the spring of 1885; she leaves ten children all of whom are grown, but one daughter. Her remains were laid to rest in the Minnick graveyard, southeast of the city, last Sunday afternoon.

 

This page last updated on March 18, 2022.