Obituaries, Page 11

Compiled by Sue Jones.

These obituaries were copied from the 1887 Robinson Constitution newspaper.

Obituary of Alexander SPONSLER, published in The Robinson Constitution (Duncanville, Ills.), 21 Sep 1883
   The following is a sketch of Mr. A. Sponsler's life as read at the funeral.
   Mr. Alexander Sponsler, one of our bet citizens was removed from our midst Sept. 10th, '83. He was born in Cumberland Co., Penn. He was left an orphan at a very early age. The great battle of life must be fought alone, without fond parents and influential friends to help him to positions of honor and ease. But the boy was an index to the man. He met his fate bravely. For five long weary years he served as an apprentice. His faithfulness was soon rewarded when he entered the arena of life. The very selfishness of human nature compelled his recognition. His skill and integrity defied competition. In 1836 he went to Stark Co., Ohio, and plied his trade. Here he married Miss Mary Gratz in 1838 at the age of twenty-five. In one year the young couple made a profession of their faith in our Lord. He lived a faithful member of the Lutheran church forty four years; he moved to Illinois in 1867. His life was a reproof alike to the careless world ling and faithless church member. How many of the friends and neighbors can recall his patient endurance under severe trials and persecutions? A certain class, envious of his hard earned and well deserved prosperity, of following his example and laying up not only property, but wisdom, for old age; were spending precious golden hours assailing his family in every way cruelty could devise. How often was the father's heart wrung in bitterness? All will remember when his barn, grain, farming utensils and six horses were burned and in his anguish he only cried out: "Oh! My poor horses, my poor horses!" Not a word of resentment of revenge. Afterward when the subtle relentless tempter entered his household, leaving a dark shadow, which settled like a pall on each heart, he was unmoved., tranquil, peaceful, but suddenly old and haggard, walking with bowed head.

Obituary of Isaac Newton WILSON, published in The Robinson Constitution, 23 Feb 1887
   In Memorium
   After an illness of short duration Mr. Isaac N. Wilson entered on the rest that remains for the people of God. He died at the home of his son - Isaac D. Wilson, in Wyandotte, Kansas, February 14th, 1887, in the 82d year of his age. His remains were brought back to Palestine, his old home for interment, where they were quietly laid beside his wife in the Palestine cemetery Thursday last, being followed to the final resting place by a large concourse of relatives and sorrowing friends. The last sad rites were conducted by Rev. Meeter, of Sullivan, Indiana. Mr. Wilson was a kind, benevolent and generous hearted gentleman. His geniality and amiability of character made him many warm friends wherever he resided. He leaves surviving him four sons and one daughter, viz: James A., Isaac D., Luke F., Medford B., and Sarah (Tindolph) Wilson.
   Mr. Wilson was born in Hardy county, Virginia, in the year 1804. When thirteen years old he came with his parents to this county, settling at Palestine, in 1817. When he grew to manhood he followed in the footsteps of his father by running a hotel in Palestine, until about the year 1855, when he removed to Olney, Ill., where he resided until the death of his wife, after which he removed to Wyandotte, Kansas, where he resided with his son - Isaac D. Wilson. Mr. Wilson united with the Presbyterian church while living at Palestine, and remained true to his principles, until death overtook him.

Obituary of John B. HARPER, published in The Robinson Constitution, 13 Apr 1887
   John B. Harper was born February 6th, 1813 in Knox county, Ind. He died at Palestine, Crawford county, Ill., April 8th, 1886, after a short illness of pneumonia, aged 74 years 2 months and 2 days. He came to Palestine forty-seven years ago, where he learned the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed for thirty-six years, when he turned his attention to farming. He was married November 16th, 1837, to Miss Abigail Everingham, a native of Ohio. The result of their union has been six children, two boys and four girls, all of which are left to mourn his loss. Judge J. B. Harper, as he has been most familiarly known in the county for the last fifteen years, has been one of its most honored, prominent and beloved citizens. He has served in various township offices, served as county magistrate for four years; and from 1869 to 1877 filled the highest office in the gift of the people of the county - that of county judge, honorable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He was buried last Sunday in the Palestine cemetery, where a large funeral procession of friends and citizens paid their last respects in the sad rites of a burial service.

Obituary of Lena WILBERT, published in The Robinson Constitution, 20 Apr 1887
   Obituary
   Lena, wife of Peter Wilbert, died April 14, 1887. She was born May 5, 1806, in Germany, aged 81 years, nearly, lacking only 21 days. She with her husband emigrated to this county 34 years ago and settled ½ mile south of Annapolis. She was a member of the Lutheran church being confirmed when she was 14 years old and has lived a constant member of that church for 67 years, till called from the church militant to the church triumphant. She was married to peter Wilbert in 1832, thus living together for 55 years. The result of this union has been seven children. She leaves a son, Philip, and daughter, Mrs. Catharine Brown, of Neoga, fourteen grand and three great-grand children to mourn her loss with the aged husband. Peace to her ashes! Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Aaron Rider.

Obituary of Mrs. Malinda (BAKER) HEATH, published in The Robinson Constitution, 4 May 1887
   Mrs. Malinda Heath, wife of Renick Heath died at the residence of Ben R. Fisher in Russellville, Monday, April 25, after a lingering illness of four weeks duration. Mrs. Heath was born in North Carolina, December 22, 1805, and came with her father to Illinois, when quite young. She was married to Mr. Heath, January 4th, 1827, and after over sixty years of happy married life, death, the great destroyer, has parted them. Her remains were buried in the Baker grave yard, on the old home farm near Heathsville. A very large crowd of relatives and friends, were there to pay their last tribute of love and respect to the departed, who is now at rest.

Obituary of Rev. Isaiah GRUBAUGH, published in The Robinson Constitution, 18 May 1887
   Death of Rev. Isaiah Grubaugh
   Saturday last Isaiah Grubaugh, of Montgomery township died, after a lingering illness of several weeks. He was buried at Palestine Sunday, under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, of Flat Rock. Mr. Grubaugh was a gentleman universally liked by all who knew him. He was a true christian gentleman, and of him it can be said that no better man ever live within our county. The record of his life is now closed forever. Peace to his ashes.

Obituary of Mrs. Cassie (IKEMIRE) ALLISON, published in The Robinson Constitution, 18 May 1887
   Mrs. Cassie (Ikemire) Allison, residing some ten miles north of Danville, a sister of Mrs. Hiram Larrabee, of Oblong township, died at her home, last week. Her remains were brought down on the C. V. & C. and taken to the family grave yard in Oblong township, for burial. [Cassie and sister Sarah Jane (Larrabee) were daus. Of Jesse Ikemire.]

Obituary of Mrs. Absalom (SMITH) WILKIN, published in The Robinson Constitution, 8 Jun 1887
   Mrs. Absalom Wilkin, of Licking township, if the vicinity of No. 8, died at Decatur, Ill., June 2d, where she had gone for treatment for a tumor. She was taken there some two weeks ago by her husband to be treated for the above, from which she has been suffering for some time and from which resulted in death. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. D. Smith, of Porterville. She leaves a most worthy and affectionate husband, and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Funeral services were held at the house Saturday, conducted by Rev. Tilrow, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Wilkin graveyard in oblong township.

Obituary of Judge Jacob C. OLWIN, published in The Robinson Constitution, 8 Jun 1887
   Judge Jacob C. Olwin died at his residence in this city, on last Wednesday morning, June 22d, at 2:30 am. For several years his health had been failing, being at times confined to his room, and suffering intensely with neuralgia and rheumatism. But for a time the coming of spring and warm sunshine brought with it relief to his suffering body, but two years ago, the disease failed to be stayed in its onward march by any treatment that could be given, or, the return of the pleasant spring time. He then sought relief in treatment elsewhere, getting at times temporary relief. His hopes for recovery were always bright, and his ready reply when asked about himself was, "I'm better." But last winter he fully realized his untimely end in the near future, to which he gave no little amount of study and careful reading of the scriptures, and by the talks he had with his pastor. Rev. J. W. Fi-id, he was enabled to see things in their true light, the way he had never seen them in all his life before, and seeing, he believed that Christ was his all sufficient savior. And in this faith he was baptized at his home on the 12th day of June in the presence of the family and quite a number of friends and members of the church and in this faith he died. He was born December 6th, 1838, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and died in Crawford Co., Illinois, June 22d, 1887, aged 48 years, 6 months and 11 days. He was not an old man but comparatively young, having just passed a little beyond the noon-line of life, with the rays of life-light just beginning to slant toward the east. Like the dense cloud that shuts out the noonday sun from our eyes, so the cloud of death has shut out his life-light from us. His early life was spent on the farm. His facilities for an education were good and he attended several of the leading institutions of learning of his native state, thus receiving a good practical education. In 18--, he commenced the study of law in Dayton, and in 1862 ------------ in the Ohio State and Union Law School, at Cleveland, where he graduated in 1863, and in the fall of 1864 came to Crawford county. He taught one term of school after his arrival here, on the prairie north of Palestine, and in the spring of 1865, he located in Robinson and commenced the practice of his chosen profession the law. He was elected to the thirty-second General Assembly, in 1889, and in November of the year 1882, was elected County Judge, which positions he filled with honor to himself and with satisfaction to the people. He also filled the office of Master in Chancery for four years. He was a republican in politics and when it is taken into consideration that he was elected to three positions in a democratic county, his popularity as a citizen and his integrity as a public officer is at once accepted by all. He has been plow-boy, student, soldier, teacher, lawyer, statesman,, jurist, and a kind father, a good citizen and a noble benefactor, with honest and uprightness pervading them all. Judge Olwin was married Jan. 4th 1863, to Miss Amelia A. Tobey, of Montgomery county, Ohio. The result of this marriage is a family of six children, two boys and four girls, five of which are living, the youngest being seven and the oldest nineteen. Besides his beloved wife and family there is left an aged mother, and brother and sisters to mourn his untimely departure with a host of other near relatives and dear friends. The funeral services, took place from his late residence, under the auspices of the G.A.R. Post and Knights of Honor, both of which he was a member, on Friday 9:- am. Long before the time for ceremonies to begin friends began to assemble, and at 8:45 the members of the Bar came in a body, followed soon after by the Knights of Honor and then by the G.A.R.

 

This page last updated on March 18, 2022.