DeLong
BETHEL CEMETERY OBITUARIES



DELONG, JOSHUA H.

Jacksonville Courier, Sept. 20, 1919

WOODSON MAN DIES
UNDER WHEELS OF
C. & A. EXTRA TRAIN

J.H. DeLong Meets Tragic Death Shortly
Before Noon at the East State Street
Crossing

J.H. DeLong of Woodson, an aged resident of Morgan county, met instant death at 11:40 o'clock Saturday morning under the wheels of a Chicago & Alton freight train at the East State Street crossing.

the man evidently misjudged the distance, and according to the several witnesses to the tragedy he started to run across the tracks when the backing train was but a few feet away. Several cars passed over his body. His identity was quickly learned by cards and letters in his pockets.

Extra freight train No. 320 was switching over the crossing. Two brakemen, local men, were riding on the platform and were witnesses to the accident. It is said that several persons shouted to DeLong when they saw that he was going to try to beat the train across, but he did not heed them. There seemd to be no confliction of stories of the persos who were on the scene. The train was not moving fast and was stopped as soon as possible.

A number of persons at the two railroad stations ran to the place, and saw that the aged man had died instantly. His head was crushed by the wheels of the caboose, and his body terriby mutilated.

The police department was notified, and Chief Kiloran and Officer McGinnis went to the place. Coroner Charles Rose was at the crossing in a short time and obtained the names of witnesses. The ambulance of Williamson & Cody was called, and the remains were taken there to be prepared for burial.

It was anounced that the inquest will be held at 8 o'clock Sunday morning at the parlors of Williamson & Cody. At this time the railroad men will tell their version of how the accident occurred.

Members of the crew of the extra train that struck DeLong were all from Jacksonville. Engineer Sorrells was in the cab; Conductor Polite in charge of the train, and Brakemen Ceffman and Langley were riding on the platform of the caboose.

Telegrapher Connelley of the Chicago & Alton was a witness to the accident, as was the tower man at the crossing.

The victim is about sixty-five [sic - 80] years of age, and had been a resident of the county for many years. Until five years ago he resided at Murrayville. He then moved to Woodson, and had been residing with his son, Herbert DeLong, who is Chicago & Alton section foreman at the place. His wife is dead.

His relatives at Woodson were immediately notified, and came to this city in the afternoon. No plans for the funeral have been made.

*****************

Jacksonville Journel, 23 Sept. 1919

DELONG.

The funeral of the late Joshua Delong was conducted at the Christian church in Woodson yesterday morning by Dr. G. W. Miller in the presence of a goodly number of sympathetic friends and a delegation of Matt Starr Post G.A.R., and local veterans of the Civil War. The minister read the 39th Psalm and offered prayer and then the beautiful ritual of the Grand Army was carried out. The church was suitably decorated with [national] flags and emblems and many beautiful [wreaths] and flowers adorned the casket.

A choir consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gallagher, Misses Sarah J. Megginson and Dr. R.R. Jones with Miss Nettie ezard accompanying on the piano sang during the services most acceptably, "Come Unto Me When Shadows Darkly Gather," "Nearer My God to Thee" and "O Think of the Home Over There."

the minister then said in brief:
"We have assembled here today to pay a last tribute of respect to the worthy and honored citizen, a man of sterling integrity and now all we can do for him is to honor his memory and emulate his virtues. When the fate of our beloved land was in the balance and existence of the nation was threatened he bared his breast to the bullets of the foe and fought gallantly that our land might remain the home of the free and he returned to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

"We cannot undertake to say why he was permitted to meet such a tragic end but we do know our departed brother was in the hands of Him who doeth all things well. I have many times talked with him of the days of the Civil War in which he did his part and but for him and others like him we should not be enjoying this free land today. He has not gone to oblivion but to a blessed reward. Two years ago he was talking to me and said then that when he was laid away he wanted me to speak. What is our life here? Short at best and full of trouble but we have the word of One who said, "Because I live ye shall live also. Sooner or later we too must meet the grim reaper and go to our reward, then let us

"So live that when the summons comes
To join the innumerable caravan that moves
To the placed realms of shade where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of Death.
Tho go not as the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon but sustained and soothed.
By an unfaltering trust approach the grave.
As one who wraps the drapery of hsi couch around him
And lies down to the pleasant dreams."

At the close of the service the remains were taken to the Bethel cemetery near Murrayville, the bearers being Edward Gallagher, Samuel Henry, James White, George Newman, James Spaenhower and Joseph McCallister.


DELONG, ELIZABETH PETERSON

Jacksonville Courier, date unknown

MRS. ELIZABETH DELONG,
PAST 80 YEARS, CALLED.
________

Mrs. Elizabeth DeLong of Murrayville answered the final summons at her home in that place Friday [14 Feb 1913] after an illness extending over several weeks. Her death came as no surprise on account of her prolonged illness and advanced age.

Her maiden name was Elizabeth Peterson and she was born in Piqua county, Ohio, in October of 1832 [sic - 1837] and was married to Joshua DeLong Sept. 15, 1858. They were the parents of three children, Herbert of Woodson, James of Waverly and Mrs. Mary Nicodemus of Pickerington, Ohio. These with the husband and eighteen grandchildren survive. Mrs. DeLong while a resident of Ohio joined the United Brethren church and lived a most faithful Christian life. She was a good woman who was held in great respect by all who knew her.

The funeral services will be conducted Sunday morning at 11 o'clock from the Methodist Church, in charge of Rev. J. A. Biddle, and interment will be made in Bethel cemetery.

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