DEATH NOTICES
Died Oct 22, 1854 Mary Olivedau of WM. R . & JANE VAN PELT, 14m 1 (?)dys. Source: Oquawka Spectator 1854
THOMAS WEAVERLING; Boy Drowned:
We are sorry to have to record the death of a fine little boy, THOMAS WEAVERLING; a residence of this place, by drowning last Thursday. He had gone into the river in company with several other little boys, none of whom could swim, and while wading around in the shallow water, THOMAS stepped over the reef of a bar, into deep water, and was drowned. The alarm was given and a number of our citizens rushed to the river, and commenced searching for the body, but their efforts proved unavailing, until at last JOSPEH ESSEX , whilst diving, brought him ashore. He had been in the water so long, however, that life was entirely extinct. [Note: It is believed this was Joseph D. Essex.] Source: Oquawka Spectator 26 June 1868
JANE WATSON,FOUL PLAY!
On the night of Thursday, April 16, 1874 , JANE WATSON , aged 18 years and 5 months, disappeared from the residence of Judge RICHEY , where she had been raised from a child of 6 or 7 years.... Source: Oquawka Spectator 14 May 1874
ESSEX, NELLIE GRACE DIED-----Tuesday, August 25th, , daughter of Mr and Mrs Jos. Essex , aged 2 years, 18 days. The sorrowing parents have the sympathy of the entire community. Source: Oquawka Spectator August 27, 1885 . [Note: Hattie Dell and Nellie Grace were both daughters of Joseph E. Essex.]
Oquawka Spectator, April 24, 1895
AN AWFUL ACCIDENT
Joseph Essex's Little Girl Fatally Burned.
The town was shocked Saturday afternoon by one of the saddest accidents that every happened here. Mrs. JOSEPH ESSEX was in attendance at the funeral service of Mrs. PENCE and went to the cemetery afterward. Her younger children were home. One of them, MAUD, a little over 9 years old, tried to melt some lead in a spoon at the kitchen stove. In reaching down to get it from the stove her sleeve caught fire. She became frightened and ran out of doors. The wind fanned her light cotton clothing into a blaze, and frantic with the pain and fright the child ran around the house several times so swiftly that her older sister could not catch her. As soon as possible this sister and a neighbor, Mr. YERGER, who ran to help, stripped off the remains of the burning clothes. A doctor was called immediately, but medical help was of little avail. The child was fatally burned. Her little body was scorched all over excepting one place between her shoulders, and merciful death came to her relief on Sunday evening. Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon by Rev. BURTON CLIFFORD of the Baptist church, who spoke comforting words. A large number of sympathizing friends were in attendance. Source: Oquawka Spectator, April 24, 1895
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Mrs. MARY A. CHAPINof Keithsburg died at the home of her son in Keithsburg, March 21. She was in her 85th year and was a resident of Oquawka in early days
All articles above submitted by Peggy Carey
11 Apr 1906
DEATHS: John Smith died early this morning, April 11, 1906 , after a short illness from erysipelas, aged a little over 84 years. Mr. Smith was born in Gottenberg , Sweden , March 5, 1822 . He came to America in 1851 and became one of Oquawka's early settlers, having made his home here about 50 years ago. Three years ago he went to Chicago to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Bennauer, but life n the city was distasteful to him and no one could have been more glad to het back to the old home and spend his last days here. Mr. Smith was the father of six children, two of whom died in infancy. The funeral service will be held Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Bennauer, conducted by Rev. A.F. Wittenberger.
27 Feb 1907
Thomas C. Smith died at his home in Oquawka, Feb. 21, 1907 , after a long illness, aged 77 years, 8 months, and 20 days. Mr. Smith was born in Lebanon , O, June 1, 1829 . He came west to Illinois in 1851, spent some time in Chicago , and then came to Oquawka, which has been his home ever since excepting for a short period spent in California . He was united in marriage to Miss Cordelea Frances Richards Dec 31st, 1857 . To them two children were born, Arthur and Effie A., the son only surviving and now in Moab , Utah , who with the widow and one grandchild constitute all of the near relatives. Mr. Smith was widely known over the county for he was in the hotel business here for over thirty years and all who had dealings with him knew him to honest and straight in his business transactions. Mr. Smith had been in failing health for years and the end came after much suffering. Funeral services were conducted from the residence Saturday afternoon by Rev. J.C. Craine.
Oquawka Spectator 11 Jan 1899
Chester Chapman has been very ill with pneumonia at the residence of his wife's parents a few miles east of town, and passed away yesterday morning. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 this afternoon in the Baptist church, by Rev. E.C. Anderson. Chester Chapmanwas born at Magnolia, Putnam county, Ill. April 25, 1870 , died Jan 10, 1899 . He was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bailey, Oct 9, 1897 . The young widow with Mr. Chapman's parents and three sisters, survive him. He was a quiet, industrious young man and had made his home about here for a number of years. Source: Oquawka Spectator 11 Jan 1899
At the home of her mother in Oquawka, May 26th, 1891 , Aggis Sells Essex , wife of Wm. Essex aged 23 years, 11 months. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. H. Hanson on Tuesday afternoon, 26th. The deceased leaves a husband and a child four months old.
NOTE: The wife of William Essex is proved to be Alice Sells . The above is an apparent printers error.
Submitted by Peggy Carey
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