Compiled by Sue Jones.
These obituaries were copied from the 1891 and 1893 Robinson Constitution newspaper.
Obituary of Matilda (JOHNSON) HOUTS, published in The Robinson Constitution
19 Aug 1891
Matilda (Johnson) Houts died Saturday night, August 8, 1891, at
her home one mile east of Trimble, of cancer.
She was born April 30th 1832, in Davis county, Indiana. When
but a small girl she was converted and united with the M. E. church, and during all
her life she never doubted. In 1851 she was united in marriage to J. B. Houts who,
with seven children, are left to mourn.
For several years she has been severely afflicted, but two years
since it was ascertained that cancer in its malignant form was doing its deadly work.
When assured of this, like the submissive Christian she was, she was immediately resigned,
and in all her terrible affliction she was never heard to murmur. She told her companion
she had made her peace with God long since. To her brother, two months since, she said,
"All I dread is the suffering I must endure." to her children she early gave advice and
her blessings. Her characteristics were few, but in all her life's work and undertakings
she was firm and resolute. She had a kind word for everybody, and especially her neighbors.
She died as gently as the babe falls to sleep. Not a struggle, not a changing of the facial
expression, and with a strong hope of a blessed immortality and the resurrection of the dead.
Today while we sorrow, she rests with Jesus.
Her funeral was preached, the following Sunday by Rev. H. O. Hiser, assisted by Elder
M. V. Hathaway, at the Oak Grove church. The remains were buried in the cemetery near the church.
Obituary of Joseph REINOEHL, published in The Robinson Constitution,
23 Sep 1891
A sudden death at New Hebron Sunday night, September 29th, at eleven o'clock.
Joseph Reinoehl had been enjoying his usual good health until about three minutes before his demise;
heart trouble carried the aged gentleman away to that borne from which no traveler returns. He died
as a child would fall asleep.
Mr. Reinoehl moved from Ohio to this county in 1853, and had lived in and
about new Hebron ever since, we believe. Uncle Joe, as everyone called him, was a good man; he had
raised a large family of children five or six of whom survive him, as does his aged companion, all
of whom have the sympathy of a kind people in their bereavement. Funeral services were conducted
in the U. B. church, of which he had been a faithful member for many years, Monday, by Rev. Mr.
Johns, after which the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery nearby by. Mr. Reinoehl was
seventy-seven years old last June.
Obituary of Zadok Alexander PEARCE, published in The Robinson Constitution,
28 Oct 1891
Zadok Alexander Pearce was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 4th day
of March, A.D. 1829. He was a resident of Crawford County, Illinois from September, 1831, till his
death on the 3rd day of June, 1832(???). He was married to Miss Louisa Jane Wilhite. During the winter
of 1872 he united with the Union Christian church, and in the autumn of 1873 was ordained to the
ministry by the authorities of that church, and continued in that relation to the church until his
death, on the 21st day of October, 1891.
His wife and four children, William C. Pearce, Mrs. Ida Decker, Mrs. Eva
Wright and Mrs. Ora Galley survive him.
He was a man of enterprise, energy and intelligent industry. His opinions
on matters of business, politics and religion, were always positive and adhered to with great
tenacity. He was a prominent character in his neighborhood, and his death is a serious loss to
the community. His domestic relations were happy indeed. To his wife and children he was indulgent,
affectionate and kind, for which he received from them their love and reverence.
While in his usual health he expressed to many of his friends the belief
that his death was close at hand. On Tuesday, October 13th, he was attacked with congestion of
the kidneys and bowels, of which disease he died. He was buried at Oak Grove cemetery on the
23rd last. A long concourse of friends and neighbors assembled at the family residence and
followed the remains to their final resting place. At the church near the cemetery President
Aldrich, of Union Christian College, read selected passages from the scriptures and offered a
prayer. Mr. E. Callahan delivered a brief memorial address, after which the last look was taken
and the last farewells were said, and the body of Zadok A. Pearce was consigned to the tomb.
Obituary of Joseph MARSHALL, published in The Robinson Constitution,
30 Dec 1891
Uncle Joseph Marshall, who for sometime has been in very poor health,
died Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The deceased was born in the state of Virginia,
and was seventy-one years old; came to this county in 1861, and was for eight years surveyor
of Crawford county. The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement;
which sooner or later is the common fate of all.
Obituary of William W. FRITTS, published in The Robinson Constitution,
25 Jan 1893
William W. Fritts, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, March the first
1850, and died January the 16th, 1893. aged 42 years 10 months and 16 days, with pulmonary
trouble. When young, he with his parents came to Illinois and located near Greenup, in Cumberland
county. When about 25 years of age he came to Crawford county, where he was married to Miss Irene
E. Johnson in February 1879, and where they remained until August 1884, when they moved to the
state of Texas, where they remained until January 1892, when they again came back to Robinson
where he died.
He leaves a wife and two children, an aged mother, four brothers, and
two sisters, and a large circle of friends to bless his memory, but their loss is his eternal gain.
Obituary of Mrs. Euphemia E. (BALES) JONES, published in The Robinson Constitution,
1 Mar 1893
Mrs. Euphemia E., aged 33 years, wife of ex-Sheriff George W. Jones,
passed from this life, at their home west of Robinson, Friday, February 24th, after an
illness of seven days, with pneumonia.
Deceased was a daughter of ex-Sheriff Bales, and at an early age
united with the Methodist church and her life was that of a consistent Christian woman,
a devoted mother and faithful wife. She leaves surviving her four sons.
The funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday at
10:00 a.m., Rev. J. W. Jackson officiating, after which the remains were placed at rest
in the family cemetery on the Jones' farm, near Hardinsville.
Obituary of Mr. Abel LANHAM, published in The Robinson Constitution,
8 Mar 1893
Mr. Abel Lanham, who has been living in our city for a number of years, departed
this life at the home of Harry Thomas his son-in-law, on the 1st, day of this month. Uncle Abel as
he was called by all, was 84 years and 2 months old. He was born in Kentucky and came to Illinois
when he was a young man. His wife was accidentally killed a number of years ago at the fair grounds
and since then he has been making his home in this city. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war and
lately obtained a pension. Thus one by one the old pioneers are leaving us. Mr. L. was a harmless,
inoffensive and good old man, that no one spoke evil of. He leaves three children, Emetine Thomas,
Mary J. Peirson and Martha Leitenberger and a large number of friends to mourn his death.
Obituary of Lafayette RAINES, published in The Robinson Constitution,
8 Mar 1893
Thursday evening last at about 9 o'clock, Lafayette Raines died suddenly
at his home in Hutsonville township. On the evening of his death he assisted in doing the
work, ate his supper, and read the papers as was his custom, retiring about half past eight
in his usual good health. After he had retired he called to mind that he had failed to wind
his watch and requested it brought to his bed that he might do so, just as he got the watch
wound he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, which increased in severity and resulted
in death in about forty-five minutes. Mr. Raines was sixty years of age, well to do, and held
in high esteem by all his acquaintances.
Obituary of G. W. INGERSOLL, published in The Robinson Constitution,
5 Apr 1893
G. W. Ingersoll, whose sudden illness we made mention of last week, died
at the residence of Mrs. H. B. Caywood, last Saturday morning. On Thursday night, one week
previous, he came to the home to stay all night and about nine o'clock was taken with a chill
and a severe pain in his side. Dr. Gilbert was called immediately and pronounced it bilious
attack of pneumonia. The next morning he was not able to go to his school, much to his disappointment,
it being the last day. He continued to grow worse until his death. Mr. Ingersoll had been with our
people as teacher for the past six months and three months last spring in which time he gained the
honor and respect of them and his death has caused a sadness in the hearts of all. He leaves a wife
and two children, a mother, one sister, other relatives, and many friends to mourn his departure.
Prayer and reading of the scripture were conducted at the house by Rev. Page and his remains were
taken to the Christian church at Palestine, where services were conducted by Rev. Belknap, after
which his remains were laid at rest in the Palestine cemetery. "He rests from his labors and his works
do follow him."
Obituary of Mrs. Rebecca A. (TAYLOR) JEAN, published in The Robinson Constitution,
6 Dec 1893
Mrs. Rebecca A. Jean, wife of J. M. Jean of this city, died Wednesday,
November 29, 1893, aged 63 years, 10 months, 8 days. Deceased, whose maiden name was Taylor,
was born in Rockville, Indiana, January 22, 1830, and was married to John M. Jean in Terre Haute,
Indiana, October 6th, 1855. To this union seven children were born: Chas. F., Edward T., John T.,
James B., Frank A., William and Carrie, all of whom are living except William.
Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church and a large congregation
attended the last sad rites.
The sermon, at the request of Mrs. Jean, was preached by Rev. J. W. Jackson,
after which the body was placed at rest in the Robinson cemetery.
This page last updated on March 18, 2022.