Athens Free Press, Nov.3, 1911

Mrs. Elizabeth Lee Passed Saturday After Attaining Ripe Old Age Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, who had been a resident of this city for a great number of years passed away at her home on Saturday morning at 1:30.

Elizabeth Loomis, a daughter of Jonathan C. and Electa Loomis , was born in Whakely, Mass., on December 23, 1819, and died at her home in this city on Saturday, October 28, 1911 at the age of 91 years, 10 months and 8 days.

She was the last of nine children, her youngest brother, Calvin S. Loomis, having passed away last April at the age of 84 years.

When at the age of seventeen years, she in company with her sister, Mrs. Mary Little, came to Illinois, making the trip in six weeks by steamboat and stage. They located in this vicinity, Mrs. Lee engaged in teaching the Indian Point school, which she taught for a few years, after which she secured a position in the public schools of this city. February 17, 1839, she was united in marriage with Dr. John D. Lee of Virginia, and a cousin of Robert E. Lee. At the time of the marriage Dr. Lee was practicing here and they remained here where the doctor continue his practice for many years before retiring to the country where they located on the farm what is now known as the Charles Culver farm, near Indian Point.

To this union two children were born, a daughter who died in infancy and a son Dunbar, who was accidentally drowned when at the age of 12�.[unreadable] �the doctor died on February 14�.back into Athens where she has since resided. Deceased is survived by W. A. Preston, a nephew, of St. Joseph, Mich., Mrs. Sarah Hitchcock, a neice, [sic]of this city and Mrs. Nellie Clark, a grand�[unreadable] of Holton, Kans. there being no other relatives.

Funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church in this city on Monday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. P. J. Marselji, pastor of the church, assisted by rev. D. G. Carson, of Springfield. The services were opened by a selection of a mixed quartet composed of Messrs. F. H. Whitney and Earl Kincaid and Mrs. Howe Willams and Mrs. F. H. Whitney. Scripture reading and prayer by Rev. Marselji, followed by a very able sermon by Rev. Carson. The remains were laid to rest beside the husband and son in the Indian Point cemetery.

Deceased was a woman of wonderful culture and education. For many years she has been a sufferer from rheumatism, which had caused her to be very badly stooped, and through all of her suffering she maintained a cheerful and generous spirit. She was of a very independent nature, never asking favors and when

Through the latter years she often said that she expected to live to be one hundred years old and her strength of will together with her determination we feel had much to do with her attaining such an advanced age.

Apparently she had been in good health for many years, but recently contracted a very bad cold and was confined to her bed only a few days prior to her death. Since the death of her husband she had always insisted upon living alone, feeling that other persons in her home would interfer [sic]with her small pleasures and comforts.

Will Read Tuesday

The will of the late Mrs. Eliza(beth) Lee was read on Tuesday morning. The North Sangamon church is to receive $500, the Presbyterian church of this city will receive the same amount. $100 was left to the Foreign Missionary society. Each nephew and neice [sic]was remembered with $500. Half of the remaining estate was left to Calvin S. Loomis, a brother, now deceased. The other half was left to a sisters children in the East.

The full value of the estate has not yet been learned as she had considerable money in the East invested in bonds and such.

Among the relatives of the late Elizabeth Lee who attended the funeral here last Monday were Albert Loomis of St. Louis; Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Preston, of St. Joseph, Mich. Aruthur Dickerson of New Haven, Conn., and Mrs. Neilie Clark of Holton, Kans.

Submitted by: Rajean Gallagher

Athens Free Press

Newton A. Williams Departs this Life of Sept.23rd. Was a Gold Seeker in the Fifties.

Newton A. Williams die at his residence in Greenview at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 1911, aged 65 years, 11 months and 6 days. He was born at Indian Point in this county on October 17, 1845, and spent most of his life here.

In April of 1851 he went n the famous gold seeking trip to Oregon with his father and motherless brothers, driving across the plains and the Great American desert with oxen until they came to Waldo hills in Oregon. The party was composed of Indian Point men and met with great hardships along the way, almost dying form thirst on the desert and having considering trouble with the Indians. Shortly after their arrival his father was killed by Indians in a general massacre and the young children were brought home by John Davis. They sailed down the Pacific coast, crossed the Isthmus of Panama on mules and sailed up the Mississippi river. The rest of his life was spent in this vicinity and he was a prominent farmer of Indian Point for many years.

On October 17th, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Catherine Cox and to this union were born eight children, Miss Lydia, Mrs. Huldah Hornback of Bedford, Iowa, Merritt, Mrs. Florence Elsinger of Idaho, Ben of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Mrs. Anna Johnson and Miss June of this city. Two sons, Charles and Bob, died in 1896, and were buried the same day.

Mr. Williams was a man of genial nature and was well-liked by his fellow-men. He was an able historian of the early days of East Menard and was acquainted with the events and the prominent pioneers of the county.

The funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. S. P. Taylor officating and assisted by Elder R. L. Courtwright. The interment was made at Indian Point cemetery.

Submitted by: Rajean Gallagher

Athens Free Press, Aug. 30, 1907

Florence, the infant daughter of Mrs. Jay Jay Primm, died at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Mellinger of Chatham last Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock aged 5 weeks.

The body was brought to the home of the grandparents Mr. and Mrs. N.O. Primm Tuesday evening. The funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 o'clock. Rev. L.P. Fisher pastor of the Christian church of Cantrall officiating. Interment at Indian Point cemetery.

Submitted by: Rajean Gallagher

Newspaper Unknown - December 21, 1939

This community was shocked when they received the news about noon on Thursday of last week of the fatal accident in which Emil Henrikson, 52, of near Sherman was instantly killed by the "Ann Rutledge" a fast train on the Alton railroad. The accident happened in Sherman about 11:30 a. m.

Mr. Henrikson had been at the Sherman post office to mail his Christmas packages and cards and evidently did not see the approaching train as he drove onto the track.

He was a highly respected and well known farmer, residing near the Dunlap school and his tragic death cast a gloom upon the entire community. He was a former resident of the Indian Point community.

Surviving are his wife, Anna; three sons, Allen, Paul and Robert; his aged mother, Mrs. Maria Henrikson of this city who has been confined to her bed for some time; one sister Miss Bertha Henrikson of Athens; two brothers, Henry of near Cantrall, and Harold of Athens.

Short funeral services were held at his home Saturday and at 2 p.m. at the Third Presbyterian church of Springfield, Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt officiating. Interment was made in the Indian Point cemetery.

Transcribed by: Bertha Emmett

K. A. FLAGG

K. A. Flagg died at his home near Sherman Monday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at the age of 71 years. He is known to the public as Pet Flagg. He was married to Miss Julia Sheppard of Fancy Prairie. He is survived by his wife, one son, Neal and one brother, Al Flagg.

Funeral services were held at the residence at 10:00 o'clock Wednesday morning. Rev. Groves of Petersburg officiated. Interment was made in the Indian Point Cemetery.

Transcribed by Bertha Emmett

Newspaper Unknown - March 7, 1938

Mrs. Mary Louise Oschwald was born December 6, 1865 at Wolschow, Province of Brandenburg, Germany, the daughter of Frederick Duckwitz and his wife Dorothea nee Devanter.

She was united in marriage to John George Oschwald at Springfield on August 27, 1885 and faithfully shared joy and sorrow with him for 47 years, until it pleased the Lord to call him from her side on September 9, 1932. This union was blessed with 11 children, five of which have preceded their mother in death.

While afflicted for some years with a malady which at times seized her with painful attacks, she was able to be about her usual tasks to the very last. When she suffered a very violent attack last Sunday afternoon, no particular alarm was felt by the family that her end was imminent. Quite unexpectedly therefore her soul quietly and peacefully winged its flight from its earthly tabernacle to the eternal mansions of rest on Monday afternoon, March 7, 1938. The days of her earthly pilgrimage were 72 years 3 months and 1 day.

Her departure is mourned by her six children, George of Lawrenceville, Ill., William, Martin, Mrs. George Richter sr., Mrs. Frank Hinds, all of Andrew, and Mrs. Edward Kruse of Brazil, South America; 3 sons-in-law, 3 daughters-in-law, 15 grand-children, and 1 great-grand-child.

Mrs. Oschwald was a devout member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Athens and of the Ladies Aid Society.

Funeral services were conducted at her late home in Andrew and at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Wednesday, March 9, 1938, Rev. E. C. Pautsch officiating. Interment was made in Indian Point Cemetery.

Appropriate hymns were sung at the church by Henry Ferden and Mrs. Ed Engel, with Helena Engel at the organ.

The following served as pall bearers: John Tobias sr., Wm. F. Dirks, Forest J. Barr, John Garmers, John Rath and Ed Engel.

Transcribed by Bertha Emmett

Newspaper Unknown - January 1938

Word has been received by the relatives of the death of Rudolph Reinders at the Jefferson Barracks Veterans' Hospital after a lingering illness.

Rudolph, was the son of the deceased John Reinders Sr. and his wife Janna, nee Keiser.

He is survived in this community by his aged mother, who has been an invalid for several years, his brothers, John Jr. and Theodore, his sisters, Mrs. Gertie Zachoche and Miss Anna. Two brothers, Herbert and Henry, reside in Springfield, and two sisters, Mrs. Sina Kahle and Mrs. Fannie King, at Bunceton, Mo.

Newspaper Unknown - January 20, 1938

Rudolph J. Reinders, the son of John Reinders Sr., deceased and his wife, Janna, nee Keiser, was born July 12, 1894 in the vicinity of Athens. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church of this city of which his parents were members. When the United States entered the World War, he followed the call of his country and served for thirteen months in the army. While in service he crossed the water to France with the American Expeditionary Forces. Having received his honorable discharge, he returned to this community. After several years he took up his residence in St. Louis, Mo. During the ensuing years he was engaged in various occupations in and around St. Louis, until about a year ago he made his home at Festes, Mo.

Failing in health since about July of last year, his condition became so bad that it was necessary for him to be removed to a hospital. He was admitted to the Jefferson Barracks Veterans' Hospital in October. From the very outset little hope for his recovery was held out by his physicians. The end finally came at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 20. He attained the age of 43 years, 7 months, 8 days.

He is survived by his wife, Nettie, two children by a former marriage, his aged mother, 5 brothers; John and Theodore, Athens; Herbert and Henry, Springfield; Lawrence, Chicago; four sisters, Mrs. Gertie Zachoche and Miss Anna, Athens; Mrs. Albert Kahle, Bunceton, Mo.; Mrs. Martin King, Clark's Ford, Mo., besides other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted at Festus, Mo. On Friday afternoon. Pastor O. Kretonson of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of that city officiating. The remains were then conveyed overland to Athens, where services were conducted Sunday at the local Immanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor E. C. Pautsch officiating. The pallbearers, all ex-service men were: Arthur Engel, Henry Kreis, George Garmes, Richard Marens, Ralph Hunter, and Lee Cantrall.

A quartet consisting of Irene Dirks, Margaret Engel, Henry Forden and Vern Maxwell sang "Just As I Am," "There Is an Hour of Peaceful Rest," and "Nearer, My God to Thee." Interment was made in Indian Point Cemetery.

Transcribed by Bertha Emmett