Waverly, Illinois, Saturday, July 8, 1899
A Bright Life Gone
Death of Mrs Will Cheney of Lowder, at Jacksonville
On Friday of last week the sad intelligence of the death at Jacksonville, at 8 o'clock that morning, of Mrs William Cheney of Lowder, was received by relatives in this city. The news came in the nature of a surprise to all, who , while knowledge she was in a precarious condition, were not prepared for this early summons. She had been in poor health for some time past, and last summer spent four weeks in the Passavant hospital at Jacksonville seeking relief, and on her return to her home in Lowder was apparently benefited, but it was only temporary. On the 26th of last March she was again taken to Jacksonville and placed in the hospital department of the Central Illinois hospital for the insane for further treatment, but the ravages of the disease successfully combated the best medical skill, and on Friday, June 30, 1899, she quietly breathed her last at 8 o'clock am from exoplethalmia goitre, aged 33 years, 7 months and 8 days. The remains were brought to this city from Jacksonville Saturday morning and taken to the home of her sister, Miss Annis Meacham to await interment.
Ella Meacham was born November 22, 1865, in Waverly, and was the youngest daughter of Edom D and Margaret Meacham, both of whom proceeded her to the grave, the former on June 29, 1880, and the latter June 7, 1894. Here she spent her girlhood days, attending our schools and formed associates among her schoolmates that ripened into warm and lasting friendships as she grew into lovely womanhood.
On December 30, 1885, she was united in marriage to William Cheney, of Lowder. To this union no children were born, but her home and husband were to her a happiness born only of the purest love, and her young life was devoted to the comfort and happiness of her young husband.In her youth she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, a membership she retained with true christian consistency to the hour of her death. In her pride in arranging comforts for her home she never forgot her duty to her Maker or the church, and was an active worker in the Sunday school. In her last illness she bore her suffering with a fortitude born only of long christian experience, and now rests peacefully with the hosts above. She leaves to mourn her early death a devoted husband and seven brothers and sisters, as follows: Henry C Meacham of Cando, ND; Mrs Belle Mitchell, of Centralia, Mo., and Mrs Samuel Rodgers and Annis , A L , George G, and Joseph H Meacham, of this city; also a half sister, Mrs Adeline Maxwell, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mrs C F Meacham of this city, besides a large circle of friends at her late home and in this city.
Funeral services were held at the home of Miss Annis Meacham at 2 pm Sunday, July 2, the Rev R P Droke, assisted by Rev J H Hatrick, officiating. Music was furnished by a choir composed of Misses Clara Verry, Jennie Dial, Dr. Hughes and W A Dial. The exercises at the house were largely attended by friends from Lowder including the Court of Honor of that place, of which deceased was a member, and many of her relatives and friends in this city. Many beautiful floral pieces were placed upon the casket by friends at home and abroad.
Owing to the absence of one brother, Mr Henry C Meacham, of Cando, N.D. , the burial services did not take place until Monday evening. Mr Meacham was expected to arrive Sunday morning, but owning to his train being delayed by a heavy storm, the body was held to await his arrival which was on Monday evening, and at 5:30 that evening the body was laid to rest beside that of her mother, in East cemetery.
Transcribed & Submitted by: Rhonda Deatherage