Silas Mercer

SILAS MERCER DEAD Aged 89 Years and 15 Days

Another of the old time citizens of the county has answered the 
Roll Call and goes in that house from which no traveler returns 
to give to his Maker an account of his stewardship here.  We have 
no doubt but that it will be a good account for among the foremost 
men of his time stood the subject of this sketch.
    
Silas Mercer was born in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, December 10 1821,
died Sunday December 10 at his home in Racoon township, age 89 years and 15 days.  
He came with his father’s family to Marion county in 1827 and settled on the farm 
where he lived for 83 years.
    
He was married first to Rebecca FINN who bore him several children but three of 
whom are living.  His second wife was Caroline Gaston who died several years since.  
Eight of their children survive.  In his old age Mr. Mercer journeyed to Jefferson 
county and married for the third time.  This marriage was childless.  The widow 
Mrs. Martha MERCER survives.
    
He was the father of seventeen children, eleven of whom survive as does the widow.  
The living children are Nelson of Kinmundy; William of Sedan, Kansas; Harvey of 
Sonora, Ark.; George of Racoon; Rufus of Centralia; Hugh of Minneapolis, Minn.; 
Luther at Home; Mrs. Green HUFFof Stevensen township; Mrs. Lucy HAYS of (illegible) 
Neb.; Mrs. Geo. HABERMAYER of Champaign and Mrs. E. A. BURT of Decatur.
    
The funeral services were held on Thursday at old Mt. Moriah Christian church which 
is built on part of the original Mercer holdings conducted by G. W. FOLEY who is 
ministering to the church at present.  Few men have been as faithful to the church and 
to the cause of Christ as have Mr. MERCER.  He has been a deep student of the Bible and 
for many years has made it a rule to read the Bible through within the twelve months.  
He was very methodical about this giving himself a certain number of chapters to read 
each Lord’s day and a less number each week day so the task was easily accomplished.  
He lived the live of a Christian and was one of nature’s noblemen.

***
Martha J. I. ROSS.
This is obituary of husband #3 for Martha J. I. ROSS.
Husband #1 was Francis Marion GROSSE - married 09 Oct 1859 in JCI.
Husband #2 was Robert H. RICHARDSON - married 06 May 1866 in JCI.

Source: Salem Illinois Newspaper
Date: December 30, 1910
Submitted by: Mary Zinzilieta