Death of Alfred Catton
Alfred Catton, for many years a resident of the West
Jersey community and who for years past has operated the Catton coal mine, died
suddenly at the office of the mine, Friday afternoon before the physician who
had been hastily summoned could reach his side. Mrs. Catton died several years
ago, and Mr. Catton is survived by three brothers who homes are nearby: Carl C.,
Francis and C. F. Catton, and a brother, George, whose home is in Wayne City;
also by two sisters, Mrs. Ezra Williams, of Toulon and Mrs. Wiley Plankael, of
LaFayette. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
Methodist Episcopal church in West Jersey.
The Stark County News, Stark Co., IL,
Wednesday, October 20, 1926
Submitted by Barbara Miroslaw
Alfred Catton Suddenly Called By Death; Aged 63 Years
Funeral services for Alfred E. Catton, respected citizen of West Jersey
township, were conducted Monday afternoon at the West Jersey Methodist Episcopal
church, Reverend R. A. Reeves, of Colchester, formerly of West Jersey, conducted
the services and was assisted by Reverend Thomas Spencer, the present pastor.
Three appropriate songs were sung by Miss Mildred
Bodine and Dale Bodine, assisted at the piano by Mrs. Margaret Bodine. The
selections were "The City Four Square," "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." and "Does
Jesus Care?"
The impressive service of the Modern Woodmen was
conducted at the grave.
The body bearers were Frank Bryan, Jeff Beamer, Ward
Hotchkiss, B. A. Fox, M. W. Orwig, Leslie Swank.
Among those from a distance who attended the services
were Al Bentley, Roger Bentley, Frank Bentley and Burt Bentley, all of Pontiac;
M. M. Scott, of Gilman, and George Catton, of Wayne City.
Sketch of Life
The following life sketch was read at the services:
Alfred E. Catton was born October 10, 1863 in Jubilee
township, Peoria county, Illinois and departed this life October 15, 1926 at his
home on the old homestead in West Jersey township, Stark county, Illinois at the
age of 53 years and 5 days.
December 31, 1889 he was united in marriage to Carrie
Josephine Snedeker, of Stark county, Illinois, she having preceded him in death
on June 25, 1908. To this union were born two children, Melva A. Wilson and John
Vern, of Edelstein, Illinois.
His wife, father, mother and three brothers have
preceded him to the Great Beyond. He leaves to mourn his death two children,
four grandchildren, four brothers, Fred, Francis, and Carl, of West Jersey and
George of Wayne City, and two sisters, Alice Plankael of Lafayette, and Grave M.
Williams, of Toulon also many relatives, close friends, and neighbors.
His life was always a very busy and useful one. His
life work was farming and operating a coal mine. Many people will also recall
when he used to run a meat wagon thru the country where he made many friends and
acquaintances. All close relatives and neighbors knew him as always willing to
render assistance to them in any need. He was always of a jovial disposition,
seeing only the bright side of all dark clouds and rough paths in his life's
journey. He has been a worthy and honorable citizen and those that knew him best
loved him most.
Brimfield News, Brimfield, IL (Peoria Co.), Thursday, October
21, 1926
Submitted by Barbara Miroslaw
Alfred Catton, farmer and owner of the Catton coal mine
at West Jersey, about 15 miles northwest of Brimfield died suddenly last Friday
about noon, and before the arrival of his physician who had been summoned. Mr.
Catton was about 65 years old and had spent a short time in Brimfield where he
operated a meat market a number of years ago. His wife passed away a number of
years ago. One son and daughter survive him. For a number of years his cousin,
Mrs. Emma Pemble, has been his housekeeper on the farm, and only a few weeks ago
she was stricken with paralysis, and under the care of a nurse is slowly
recovering at their home. Mr. Catton was a son of the late John Catton and a
cousin of the Catton boys at Brimfield.