Page 176

(Obituary of David Addison England, son of David and Margaret (Higgins) England, from an undated, unnamed newspaper.)

David Addison England, a former resident of this city, but for several years past made his home in Jamison, Nebraska, passed away at that place at the home of Dwight Blake, January 13. (1921)

His friends will remember he spent the pat year in Athens, returning to Jamison during the summer.

On Christmas day he was stricken with paralysis, and although kind friends with loving hearts did all in their power to restore him to health, he gradually sank until the end came.

He was the son of David and Margaret England, was born at the old home near Cantrall, January 17, 1742. (1842). When 20 years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil War in the 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Co. K., August 9, 1862 at Camp Harker, Tennessee, near Nashville, served three years, was honorably discharged June 1, 1865 and the little brown button has been his pride, down to his last years he kept it polished and shining on his coat, and we saw the same little brown button placed so near his heart as he lay so peacefully in his casket.

He was proud to know he was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, often relating incidents of Lincoln as he knew him.

After returning from the war he married Harriett Emma Mott. To them were born one son, Henry Ward and two daughters, Anna Laurie and Lucy Maria. The wife, son and oldest daughter preceding him in death. The youngest daughter, Mrs. John L. Wilde was present at the funeral.

One sister, Mrs. Margaret Canterbury of Gibson City, Illinois and two brothers, Charles of Denver, Colorado and Henry living near the old home near Cantrall now remain out of the happy reunion of seven brothers and seven sisters.

The familiar name; �Uncle Add� will be cherished by many nephews living in several distant states and a number of them in this city and surrounding locality.

Brief funeral services were held at the home of Mr. Blake January 14 and at this place January 17 at 2�clock at the home of Dr. Brittin, conducted by Rev. M�Kown, assisted by Revs. Day and Bonnefon. Two duetts, �Safe in the Arms of Jesus� and �The Home of the Soul� were beautifully sung by Miss Bernice Johnson and Mrs. William Campbell, accompanied by Miss Olive Mott.

According to his request he was brought back to Athens by his good friend Mr. Blake to be placed beside his loved ones in the cemetery which he visited just before leaving Athens last August to return to his Jamison home.

On the anniversary of his 79th birthday we laid him to rest.

Page 177

(From 1928 Athens, Illinois newspaper)

Mrs. Minnie Frances, wife of Eugene Zellers, died at the residence in this city Saturday evening, July 14, 1928, after a very brief illness at the age of 67 years 6 months and 13 days.

Mr. and Mrs. Zellers had attended an ice cream supper at Cantrall and upon their arrival home she was stricken and passed away in a very short time. Applexy was the cause of her death.

Minnie Frances, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Pitts, was born in Sweetwater, January 1, 1861, and was the second daughter, of a family of five children.

She was united in marriage to Eugene Zellers, March 21, 1881, at the home of the late Homer Stewart in Petersburg.

The couple went to housekeeping in Sweetwater and in 1888 they moved to Athens and with the exception of five years residence in Missouri they resided in Athens and vicinity.

To this union four children were born, one dying in infancy, and one son, Arthur, died during the flu epidemic several years ago.

Surviving are: her husband Eugene Zellers; one son, Edwin of Springfield; one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Barnes of Oakland, California; one brother, John Pitts, and one sister, Miss Julia Pitts of Los Angeles, California; eight grandchildren, three living in Springfield and five in California.

Deceased was for many years a member of the Christian church. She was ever loyal to her churches� every interest and was a woman held in the highest esteem and respect by all who knew her. Her unexpected death came as a great shock to every one in this community.

Funeral services were held at the Christian church, Thursday morning, July 19, at 10 o�clock, Rev. Lester R. Gerber officiating.

Interment was made in Sugar Grove cemetery near Sweetwater.



Page 178

(From an unnamed, undated newspaper)                 (1923)

Anna Pestel was born January 22, 1856 and died at St. John�s hospital in Springfield, Wednesday February 7, 1923 at the age of 67 years and 16 days.

Deceased had been having a cold which later developed into pneumonia for which cause she took her bed Thursday, February 1. She steadily grew worse and was taken to the hospital Monday where she rapidly failed and passed to her reward in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

She was united in marriage to Charles Buchannan.

About 1875 she united with the Christian Church and lived a faithful member until her death. She was known to everybody as a Christian woman, always striving to help the less fortunate and do good in any way possible.

She leaves to mourn her departure; one sister, Mrs. James Hall with whom she resided and one brother, J. H. Pestel of Oakford, besides a host of relatives.

Funeral services were held at the Christian Church at 2:30 o�clock, this (Thursday) afternoon, conducted by the pastor, after which the body was laid to rest in Hall cemetery to await the Resurrection morn. Thus another of our good citizens has been called home.

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