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BAILEY, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 27, 1921 Mrs. Annie Bailey, aged 43 years, died on Monday at the family home at 134 Atkinson avenue, after an illness of six days, suffering from acute muscular rheumatism. She is survived by three children, Samuel, and Misses Lucy and Blanche Bailey. Her husband, Alfred Bailey, died sixteen years ago. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the Campbell Chappel, with Rev. Jones officiating. **************************************************
BAILEY, ROBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24, 1921 Robert Bailey of 519 William street was taken to the hospital Sunday morning suffering from a fatal injury to his head which was sustained either in a fall or by a blow on the head. The fact that Bailey had not regained consciousness after being picked up precluded possibility of his story of the facts attending his injury being obtained. Mr. Bailey died about 11 o'clock this morning without regaining consciousness. He was in his 40th year. According to the best information obtainable, Bailey had been in a soft drinks place on East Broadway and coming out with another man had fallen on the sidewalk striking his head. There was a mark at the base of the skull which indicated a blow had been sustained there. The injured man was taken to St. Joseph's hospital by Dr. J. P. Hale, who afterward turned the case over to Dr. Shaff. All of Sunday, members of his family watched beside the bedside of the unconscious man and his death was expected at any time. There was considerable surprise that he lived through Sunday night. His condition was reported at the hospital Monday morning as being very bad, and it was said that there was little chance of his recovery. Mr. Bailey was employed at the Stanard Tilton mill. He was married, and beside his wife had two children. He belonged to a well known and large family, that of Rev. George Bailey. Two of his brothers have died within the past few years, one being killed by a train across the river from Alton, and the other, a returned soldier from overseas, died recently in St. Louis. The father died a few years ago. Dr. J. N. Shaff said after the death of Bailey that he was unable to say conclusively what was the cause of his death, and he indicated that a post mortem might be held to determine the exact cause. Mr. Bailey was a glassblower prior to the time of the changing of the glass works here to an automatic machine blowing plant. Besides his wife and two children, Mr. Bailey leaves eight brothers, George, James, Thomas, Charles, Jacob, Harry, Stephen and Joseph Bailey; and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Beemis. ****************************************************
BAILHACHE, JOHN (JUDGE)/Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 10, 1857 Thursday, September 3 - - We were greatly pained to be compelled to announce yesterday morning the serious accident which occurred to Judge Bailhache. This morning we are indeed sad. The good and venerable man has gone home to enjoy, we trust and believe, that blessed state for which he so long and ardently sighed and prayed. Yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock, John Bailhache died, full of years, ricvh in experience, abounding in charity, and zealous in every good work. An honest man left us yesterday. The cultivated mind which conceived, and the ready hand which, for so many years, placed such conceptions before the world, are now silent and motionless. The Master summoned him and he was ready to obey the call. Around the deathbed of such a man there is cause for regret - much more for rejoicing. We regret the departure of the well known form, the kindly voice, the benign smile, the Christian example, and the parental encouragement in good works which he gave to all. We rejoice that, being full of years, he was ready to go home - that, though dead, his bright example will still be before us - that his ardent longings to go home are at length gratified, and that our loss is his everlasting gain. As a journalist, we feel that an old and tried friend has been taken from us. We have known Judge Bailhache for upward of twenty years. While a printer in his office, full twenty years ago, he it was who never failed in a word of encouragement, or, if need be, of reproof. We often wrote for him, and from him received much instruction in the art of composition. For many years we were opposed to him in politics, and a part of that time we conducted an opposition journal. In these various relations we found him the same. Honest in his convictions, scrupulously careful in the means he employed, wielding a pen second to but few in the Union, and often engaged in heated party contests, we yet always found him charitable to his opponents, and at all times exercising those graces which distinguish the Christian gentleman. Judge Bailhache was the oldest editor in Illinois, probably in the United States. He had spent over half a century as the editor of a public journal. His connection with the public press ceased between two or three years ago, when we purchased the Telegraph, since which time he has been associated with L. A. Parks, Esq., one of the original founders of the Telegraph, in a Job office. After the death of R. M. Treadway in January 1837, Judge Bailhache became associated with Mr. Parks, the surviving partner, and continued to be its chief editor until 1855. For upwards of thirty years previous to his coming to Illinois, he had conducted various public journals in Ohio, and was considered the ablest in the profession. We have no disposition now to speak of his early history more at length. A future time will be more fruitful of facts. The present is too sad for reminiscences. We have lost a friend - one who was endeared to us by many pleasant recollections. Society has lost a valuable and highly esteemed member; the Church a consistent and shining light; his family an affectionate and devoted father. All - all have lost but him. ******************************************
BALDWIN, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 8, 1922 Attendant at Merry-Go-Round Electrocuted in Rock Spring Park ... Priests Look on as Man is Killed John Baldwin, 18 years old, was electrocuted this morning at 11:15 o'clock in Rock Spring Park, where he was helping to operate a small merry-go-round. The accident has put a damper on the picnic for a time, that was being given for the children of the Alton Catholic Orphanage. Baldwin has come to Alton with George Alderman of Collinsville, who owned the merry-go-round. The little machine had been operating all last week at East Alton in connection with a carnival that was showing in that village and Alderman consented to set up the machine just for one day in Rock Spring park for the free amusement of the children of the orphanage. The machine had been set-up and had been running a couple of hours amusing the children before Baldwin picked up a live wire which killed him instantly. The merry-go-round has been running and carrying the children, but there was no music, the organ not being connected up with the electric wires to furnish power to run it. Alderman, who is an electrician himself, decided to rig up another wire to operate the organ. He did so and taking one end of the wire he climbed a pole in the park and made a connection with an electric fed wire that carried 110 volts. He had scarcely made the connection when Baldwin not knowing of the danger, picked up the other end of the wire which was lying on the ground in the center of the merry-go-round. He was instantly electrocuted. There were only a half dozen people standing nearby at the time the accident happened, including Father ????kel, Father Spaulding and several younger priests. It was several minutes before anyone knew that something wrong had occurred, so quick was the accident, and not a sound was heard from the young man through whose body the 110 volts of electricity had passed while he was standing on the wet ground. As soon as it was realized that the man had been electrocuted, the priests rushed in to telephone in the Valley Park pavilion and called for help. Drs. Taphorn, Davis, Walton and Brunk arrived in a few minutes. Two pulmotors were rushed to the park and everything possible was done to try to save the young man's life, but all efforts in an hour's time failed to revive him. Alderman, the owner of the merry-go-round, when he learned that the boy had been killed, became distracted and his sorrow was great. He said that he had been a life long friend to the boy's father and mother, and he felt that the relatives of the dead boy would feel that he was responsible for the lad's death. He refused to be comforted in spite of the efforts of many people in the park to persuade him that the accident was purely unavoidable, and that the boy's family would not blame him for it. When the physicians gave the boy up for dead, the body was turned over to Deputy Coroner Streeper, who took him to the undertaking rooms in Upper Alton. Alderman brought the merry-go-round to the Park yesterday afternoon. Work of setting it up was started at once, and it was running early this morning when the automobiles of Alton people commenced to arrive at the park with the orphans for their annual outing. The kiddies were enjoying the fun of riding on the machine, although it was a very small one. It had been set up on the picnic ground in the valley of the park, opposite the Valley Park pavilion. The picnic was almost broken up after the fatal accident. Alderman, because of the happening, would not run the machine any longer. At noon the White Hussar band members arrived at the park where they had been sent by the Egyptian Hustlers to give a concert for the orphans at their picnic. At 1 o'clock the band started to play and the children resumed playing. Another young man who had been with Alderman in the operation of the merry-go-round, consented to run it, and he again put the machine in operation. Alderman insisted that he be taken to his home at Collinsville after telegraphing to his wife of the accident, and instructing her to tell the boy's relatives. Alderman said Baldwin's father and mother are living at Millersburg, a little town southeast of Pocohontas in Bond County. *****************************************
BALLARD, ANNA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 2, 1920 Mrs. Anna Ballard, 40, died yesterday at her home, 1720 Belle street, following a week's illness with pneumonia. She is survived by a son, Peter F. Brooks, two sisters, Esther C_____ford, and Mrs. Sarah Myndman, and two brothers, James and Frank________. She will be buried Wednesday afternoon from the home. Interment will be in Upper Alton cemetery. ****************************************
BALSTER, CLARENCE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 27, 1922 Young Man Drowns in Lake While Swimming Clarence E. Balster, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Balster, this city, was drowned yesterday afternoon while swimming in LeClaire Lake at Edwardsville. The drowning was the result of the young man over-taxing himself in trying to swim too far. With a party of four other men, he had been traveling about the country distributing a baking powder. Yesterday afternoon they decided to take a swim in the Leclaire lake and Balster went clear across the lake. He was somewhat tired and after a short rest he went back in the water to return to his starting place, while on the way his strength gave out and he sank. His companions attempted to rescue him, and after they did get his dead body out of the water, a pulmotor was used in an effort to restore respiration, but in vain. After a short time the parents at Alton were notified that their son had been drowned. The body was taken in charge by an Edwardsville undertaker and was brought to Alton. The burial services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Balster home on Humbert street. The drowning of their only son was a sad shock to Mr. and Mrs. Balster. He had entered the employ of the Baking Powder Co., less than a month before. Members of the family said that he was a good swimmer and that he should have been able to make the trip successfully across the lake and back. The parents moved to Alton two years ago from the Bethalto neighborhood where Mr. Balster was for a long time a mail carrier. An Edwardsville account of the drowning said: J. C. Hart, an expert swimmer of Springfield, Mo., and several other friends of Balster made a futile attempt to reach the drowning man before he sank in water 12 feet deep. Balster was an inexperienced swimmer and is believed to have gone into the deep water by mistake. Balster had been in the water for about an hour when he waved his hands and called for help. He sank twice before Hart reached the place where Balster was struggling in the water. Balster threw his arms around Hart and pulled the latter under the water with him as he sank the third time. Hart succeeded in freeing himself and swam to shore. Balster's body remained in the water about twelve minutes, when it was recovered by Abner Stolte of Edwardsville, a schoolboy who was at _______ [unreadable] the outing. O. G. Ball of Springfield, Mo., and R. Crane of Alton, were swimming near Balster when he drowned and were unable to get to him in time to save him. ***********************************************
BANDY, JAMES M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph Former Prosecuting Attorney and Brilliant Lawyer James M. Bandy, former prosecuting attorney of Madison county, one of the best known lawyers in the county, died Sunday at his home in Granite City from pneumonia. He was 57 years of age. The death of Bandy was a great surprise as it was not generally known that he was seriously ill. He had been sick only a short time at his home, 2200 D street, Granite City. Bandy was formerly a railroad man but he studied law, was admitted to the bar and manifested such ability that he was not long in making rapid rise to eminence among Madison county lawyers. He was elected states attorney of Madison county for four years, and after retirement from that office he devoted himself to the practice of law. His specialty was criminal law and his services were in great demand for the defense of persons accused in court, and who had but little ground-work on which to base a defense. Dry law violators found in Bandy a reliable defender when they came into court to answer for their offenses. Mr. Bandy was a keen sharp lawyer, a good speaker and very successful in his profession. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Harold and James Bandy, and two daughters, Gertrude Ratliff and Zella Bandy. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the family home in Granite City. *****************************************
BANGE, EMMA MARY/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, September 1914 Miss Emma Mary Bange, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bange, residing at 243 Hillsboro avenue, died at the home of her parents Saturday afternoon at 3:45 o'clock. The end came peacefully and quietly with her parents, her nurse and the attending physician at her bedside. She had been very ill for the past year, but was not confined to her bed until just three weeks ago. Then, for the past three weeks she showed marked improvement and she even believed she would recover. Saturday morning she partook of a hearty breakfast and dinner. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, she seemed worse and rapidly declined. She was conscious up to the last and showed a little improvement just before she died. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning from the residence of her parents at 8:30 o'clock, thence to the St. Boniface's Catholic Church. The pall bearers will be Frank, Edward, and Gustave Epping, Gus Smith, Henry Trares, and John Feldworth. Interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Miss Bange was born May 13, 1872 and died September 13, 1914. She was 42 years and 4 months old at the time of her death. Her birth place was a farm in Hamel township. She was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bange. She was of a kind and loving nature and made friends wherever she went. She attended the Edwardsville schools. Fourteen years ago her parents retired from the farm and moved to Edwardsville. Her brother Frank remained on the farm and she kept house for him for three years until he was married and then she came to town and remained with her parents up to her death. She is survived by her parents, three sisters and two brothers. The sisters are Mrs. Fred Sido and Mrs. Frank McCormick of St. Louis and Mrs. Henry Epping of Nameoki. The brothers are Frank Bange of Hamel and Joseph Bange of Salisbury, Mo. **********************************************
BANGE, HELEN ANGELA/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, November 1917/Submitted by Sharon Inman OLD RESIDENT DEAD - MRS. HENRY BANGE PASSED THE FOUR SCORE MARK - Had resided in this locality nearly sixty years. The funeral of Mrs. Helen Angela Bange, wife of Henry Bange, two of the very old residents of Edwardsville, will be held Friday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Boniface Catholic Church. Services will be conducted by Rev. J. D. Metzler and burial will be made at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Mrs. Bange died Monday night at 11:35 o'clock after an illness of only five days. She became ill with pneumonia and with her advanced age her heart failed, being the primary cause of death. Mrs. Bange was born in Hanover, Germany, on February 10, 1837, and was 80 years, 9 months, and 16 days old at the time of her death. She had lived in the vicinity of Edwardsville for nearly sixty years. She was a member of a family of eight children which came to this country in 1858. The family stopped in St. Louis a short time and then went to Florissant, MO, to live. She was married on March 1, 1859, and the young couple located on a farm in Hamel township a short time afterwards. They continued their residence there, where he followed farming, until seventeen years ago, when they retired and have since lived at 243 Hillsboro road. Her husband observed his 90th birthday anniversary on September 8, and although on his way in the century mark is bearing up under the strain. The couple observed their golden wedding anniversary in 1909 with a big celebration. Mrs. Bange was a member of the St. Boniface Church and the Altar Society, and in her younger days was active in work of the church and society. She was the mother of eight children, three of whom have died. The children are Mrs. Fred C. Sido, of St. Louis; Joseph Bange, of Salisbury, MO; Mrs. Lena Epping, of Granite City; Mrs. Frank McCormick, who recently came to Edwardsville from St. Louis, and Frank Bange of Hamel. There are twenty-three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A sister and brother also survive. They are; Mrs. Katherine Abeln, 75 years old and Bernhard Brueggen, 70 years old, both of Salisbury. The children and sister and brother are here for the funeral. *******************************************
BANGE, HENRY/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 1919/Submitted by Sharon Inman MANY HOMES ARE SAD - HENRY BANGE, AMONG OLDEST RESIDENT IS BURIED - Grim Reaper Cuts Swath as Springtime is Returning. Edwardsville today buried one of its oldest and highly respected citizens, Henry Bange, whose death as he neared the century mark, was told in the Intelligencer Saturday. He passed away at his residence, 243 Hillsboro Avenue at the advanced age of 91 years, 6 months, and 26 days. The funeral services were held at St. Boniface's Catholic Church at 9 o'clock, Rev. C. T. Stalze having charge. He was assisted by Rev. Lorenz, a Redemptorist father of De Soto, MO, who has been here the past several days. Burial was made at St. Mary's Cemetery. The pallbearers were six grandsons. They were Frank, Edward, and Gus Epping. Henry and George Schmidt and George Sido. Mr. Bange was born in Germany in 1827 and spent the first twenty-three years of his life in his native land. In 1850 he came to America locating in Edwardsville with a brother, Bernard Bange. His first acquaintance in Edwardsville was the late Vincent Ferguson. He went to work on the farm of the late John A. Prickett and later became manager of the Valley View farm, northeast of Edwardsville. In 1856 he returned to Germany to visit his parents. Three years later in 1859 he was married to Miss Angela Brüggen by Rev. Dubin of the Holy Trinity Church in St. Louis. The couple located on a farm in Hamel township. He continued farming there until 1900 when he retired. The union was blessed with eight children, three of whom have preceded the father in death. His wife died about 18 months ago. Those who survive are Mrs. Fred Sido of St. Louis; Joseph Bange, Salisbury, Mo., Mrs. Lena Epping of Granite City; Mrs. Frank McCormick, Edwardsville and Frank Bange, Hamel. There are twenty-three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Many years ago Mr. Bange established a place among the respected residents of this section of the county and had a great many friends and acquaintances. Two of the daughters were unable to attend the funeral. Those attending from elsewhere were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bange and Ben Brüggen of Salisbury, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Hy. Schmidt, Boone, Ia., Fred Sido and children of St. Louis; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Epping, Nameoki; Edward, Gus, and Angeline Epping of Granite City. *********************************************
BANTZ, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 3, 1922 William Bantz of Moro, 74, died yesterday at a sanitarium in Jacksonville. Mr. Bantz for a time was a resident of Wood River. He is survived by three sons, John and George of Bethalto, and Henry, who is in the Navy, and four daughters, Mrs. James Morrison, Mrs. George Schaik, and Mrs. Charles Wise of Moro, and Mrs. Herman Heinze of Liberty Prairie. Funeral services will be held at the Moro Evangelical church at 1:30 Sunday and will be conducted by the Rev. R. Muehelnhaus. *******************************************
BARKER, DALPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 23, 1921 Body of Soldier To Return From France ... First Alton Soldier to Lose His Life in France A telegram was received last night by Mrs. Verna Barker that the body of her husband, Dalph Barker, would be shipped from Jersey City, N. J. this morning, and would arrive in Alton via the Chicago and Alton. It is expected the body will be here ____ day night o Friday morning. Dalph Barker was killed _______ 27, 1918, in France, while in _____ Expeditionary Forces. He was a barber when called into the service, and was one of the first Alton boys to be killed. Members of the family were desirous of having the remains of the soldiers sent back home so they could have the privilege of burying it in the family lot.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 25, 1921 The body of Dalph Barker, killed in action overseas while in the service of his country, arrived back in Alton this morning at 5:40 o'clock, and was taken to the undertaking parlors of C. N. Streeper. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and will be in the First Baptist church. Rev. M. W. Twing having charge of the services. Burial will be under the auspices of the American Legion. The body was accompanied to Alton by Private Peter Eagle. Mayor Sauvage gave orders Thursday afternoon that the flag on the City Hall be placed at half mast as an emblem of civic mourning for the dead soldier, and it will so float until after the funeral. The Mayor said that he had made a practice of lowering the flag to half mast every time one of the Alton soldier boys died, and that he felt Alton should pay special honor to this young soldier who had laid down his life on the field of battle. The funeral Sunday afternoon will doubtless be attended by an enormous crowd. Among those who will attend will be some of the boys who were with Barker when he fell. Among these was Thomas Mooney of Alton, who when the body of Barker was to be buried, gave his blanket to wrap the body in. Others from Alton were John Hoehn, Coburn Poole and Robert Lewis. The body of Dalph Barker is the first one that has come so far of the boys who were slain on the field of battle. The others which have so far been sent home are those of boys who died from causes other than wounds. Barker was buried near where he fell in the great offensive against the Germans, which finally resulted in victory for the Allied cause.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28, 1921 Alton post, American Legion, conducted an impressive funeral ceremony Sunday afternoon over the body of Dalph Barker, who was the first Alton soldier to lose his life in France. The body arrived in New York a short time ago and was immediately conveyed to this city arriving here Friday morning. A large number of Legionnaires gathered Sunday afternoon to escort the body from the home to the Baptist church where Rev. Twing conducted a short prayer service, briefly reviewing the life of Dalph Barker, following his removal to this city in 1914, and prior to his entering the service. Barker left Alton in October 1917, sailed for France in April, and was killed on the English front in July, after which his body was interred, remaining in France until a recent date when it was returned to this country for final interment. Following the services at the Baptist church, the Legionnaires and many friends of the deceased followed the funeral procession to the City cemetery where Alton post of the American Legion had charge of the interment. At the cemetery Dr. Mather Pfeiffenberger, post commander of the Legion in a brief talk eulogized the dead soldier, who sacrificed his life in order that liberty might not perish from the earth, after the remains were interred. Military escort, firing squad and pallbearers were chosen from Legionnaires Tom Mooney, Frank Graham, Joe Mohr, Tom Stanton, Elmer Trout, and Earl Linkogle, former servicemen, attended the casket. *************************************
BARNARD, WILLIAM E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 28, 1920 William E. Barnard died this morning at one o'clock at the family home in South Wood River. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Wright of South Wood River, and one brother, Gus Barnard of Evansville, Ind. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock from the Streeper Undertaking Parlors. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. **************************************
BARNSBACK, HENRY C./Source: Troy Call, January 18, 1918 Henry C. Barnsback, a brother-in-law of Mrs. John F. Jarvis of this city and one of the old residents of Madison county who was well known to many in Troy, expired at his home in Edwardsville yesterday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Death was due to an attack of heart trouble and nephritis. Mr. Barnsback was born in Madison county and was in his 80th year. He was a son of Julius and Mary (Gonterman) Barnsback, pioneer residents of the county. In her earlier life he formed a partnership with his brother, Julius, and they conducted a general store at Edwardsville for some years. He then purchased a half interest in the Edwardsville Intelligencer with James Brown and after this venture farmed in Coles county, near Charlestown, for several years. His wife, who was Mary Matilda Montgomery, survives him, as does his only brother, Julius Barnsback of Edwardsville. Mr. Barnsback had been in failing health for some time and had several severe sick spells from which he partially recovered. During the past several weeks he had failed rapidly. He talked freely of his condition and confidently believed that the end was near. Arrangements for the burial have not been made known here, but it is expected that the funeral will be held Sunday. ****************************************
BARR, JOHN/Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 11, 1856 Mr. John Barr, of this city, aged twenty-five years, received some injury to his spine on Monday last while loading wheat at the Terre Haute Railroad depot. On Wednesday he seemed to be improving, but yesterday he unexpectedly died at 10 o'clock. Young Barr was one of our most industrious and respected young men. He emigrated from Tyronne county, Ireland, about three years ago, and was employed by the Messrs. Sidway about two years. He leaves a widowed mother and several brothers and sisters to mourn his untimely and sudden death. His funeral will take place this morning from the residence, corner of Seventh and Belle streets, at 10 o'clock. ***********************************************
BARRUS, DON A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 1, 1921 Two Friends Killed Instantly by Train Don A. Barrus, aged 45, of Alton, and Alexander W. Crawford, aged 60, of Hillsboro, were instantly killed this morning at 9:30 o'clock by a Chicago and Alton train, No. 32, on the crossing at Wood River. The Chandler Dispatch car in which they were riding was demolished. The body of Don Barrus was underneath the wrecked engine of the car, and that of A. W. Crawford was carried up the track about 150 feet and dropped. Evidently he was caught in the smashed top of the car, which was dropped by the engine a short distance from where the body of Mr. Crawford lay. A car driven by John J. Brenholt Jr. just missed being struck by the engine. Mr. Brenholt got over just in time, the engine missing him by a few inches, while the car in which Barrus and Crawford were riding was a few feet behind and ran on directly in front of the train, which was traveling at a high speed. According to the engineer on the train that struck the Crawford automobile, his train stopped in 150 feet beyond the crossing, but this statement is disputed by men who witnessed the accident and who say that the train ran more than 1,000 feet. The trainmen said that the Illinois Terminal railroad crossing was blocked by a freight train and before the crossing was cleared, a string of six or seven automobiles had lined up. When the Illinois Terminal crossing was cleared, the automobiles, led by the car driven by J. J. Brenholt Jr., moved forward. Only a few feet space separated the two tracks at that place and there was very little room for any observations to be made down the C. & A. track. Evidently no one heard the approaching C. & A. train. The engineer said that the car driven by Mr. Brenholt barely got over the track when the train reached the crossing and that the Crawford car following close behind was struck squarely by the train. The impact buried the automobile into the air and the engine dragged the shattered care about 150 feet. The only part left intact was the tires of the automobile. Mr. Barrus was pinned down by the smashed engine which had been stripped from the rest of the car. Mr. Crawford was carried up the track in the winter top that had enclosed the car. According to men at the Don A. Barrus garage, Mr. Barrus had sold three Packard cars and was going to St. Louis to get two of them for delivery. He found opportunity to make the trip with Mr. Crawford, an old friend, and the two started off from the Mineral Springs Hotel about 9 o'clock. The accident, destroying the lives of two men so well known as Mr. Crawford and Mr. Barrus, produced a great shock to the community. Mr. Crawford was born in Godfrey and had lived there much of his life, and he was widely known. He had served as a member of the Illinois State Board of Equalization and four years ago he was a candidate of the Democratic ticket for the office of Clerk of the Supreme Court, but was defeated. Last November he was an unsuccessful candidate for State Senator in the Macoupin County district, going down in the Republican landslide. For a number of years he had been interested in the purchase of coal rights in Macoupin County and had done much to get together large tracts of land which were sold to mining concerns. He had a prominent part in developing the coal business of Macoupin and Montgomery counties. He was twice married, his second wife surviving him. He leaves six children, Mrs. L. H. Maxfield, Miss Alice of Carlinville, and William of Delhi,, La., Jack, Sue and Elizabeth of Hillsboro. He leaves also one sister, Miss Jennie Crawford, and three brothers, William and Thomas Crawford and John Tolman. Mr. Crawford had spent the night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. H. Maxfield. Don A. Barrus had been a resident of Alton since he came here a number of years ago with the late B. L. Dorsey. He served as Mr. Dorsey's business manager for a long period. In recent years he had taken an interest in real estate and it was he who put over a big deal for the sale of a tract of land to the Empire Oil and Gas Co., and he had a prominent part in some other realty transactions here. When the Illinois Terminal remodeled the building at Front and Alby streets, Mr. Barrus took the first floor as a garage and salesroom, and there he was conducting a very prosperous business. His death came at a time when he had been making some good sales of cars. He had disposed of nine others in the past month. Following news of the accident, _____ of parties started out to Wood River to view the scene and look at the wrecked car. The trainmen had the bodies of the two men lifted to one side of the track and Deputy Coroner Streeper was notified to get them. They were later conveyed to the Streeper morgue in Upper Alton. The two victims of the accident were two of the best known men in this vicinity. Both of them were very popular socially and were prominent in business. While Mr. Crawford had not lived here for a long time, he was in and out of Alton frequently visiting his relatives at Godfrey and seeing some of his business associates. It is related that when he was on the State Board of Equalization, he gave quite as much attention to serving people from his old home district as he gave to those from the district he was representing. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Barrus shared in public esteem with Mr. Crawford. He always had a smile for everyone, and it was said by his friends that he was a man whose friendship was to be valued highly. In the car with John J. Brenholt was his sister, Mrs. Edith Jones and Mrs. Anton Reck. After they passed the crossing safely, they looked back and just as they did they saw the Crawford automobile hurled into the air. They immediately telephoned to Alton to give notice of their safety. Reports that they did not know of the accident were denied by Col. J. J. Brenholt, who said that he had a telephone message from members of his family immediately afterward. The railroad men declared that the crossing watchman was signaling to the automobilists to call attention to their danger. People at the crossing said that there was no signal given to the automobile drivers and that the train was running at a speed of about 50 miles an hour. No arrangements had been made this afternoon about the funeral of Mr. Crawford. Immediately upon the death of Don Barrus and his friend, Zan Crawford, this morning, a meeting was called of several of the most intimate friends and business associates of Barrus at the Elks club, and arrangements were made to take charge of the remains and await word from the family. A telegram was sent at once to the brother of Barrus, Ralph Barrus at Richfield Springs, New York, telling of the accident, how it occurred and of Barrus's death. Barrus has two brothers and two sisters who reside in Richfield Springs, N. Y. or near vicinity. After the inquest and the embalming of the body, the Elks will take charge of the remains and follow the instructions of the family. ****************************************************
BARTLETT, CHARLES H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 7, 1921 Charles H. Bartlett, an aged resident of Godfrey township, died yesterday morning at 2 o'clock at his home after being ill about one week, from debility of old age. A sad feature of the death of Mr. Bartlett is that his aged wife is confined to her bed by injuries she received by falling at her home. She was in the yard and stepped into a mole hole, which caused her to fall and she injured her back and shoulder. Mr. Bartlett would have been 93 years of age the 7th of April. He and his wife were married nearly sixty-eight years and spent most of their time on their farm in Godfrey township. Mr. Bartlett was born at Boston, Mass., and he was married to Elizabeth Dow at Rutland, Vt., in 1853. They came west and settled in Godfrey township in 1858. Mr. Bartlett served one year in the army during the Civil War, in the 144th Regiment. He was a well educated man, possessed a ready mind and was a wide reader. Up to the last his mind remained clear and he was a most entertaining conversationalist and his company was sought by many. He was a good farmer, a good citizen and was highly esteemed by all who knew him in the neighborhood where he lived. He leaves, besides his widow, two sons, Charles W. and Fred Bartlett and four daughters, Mrs. Fanny Donnel of St. Louis, Mrs. Hannah Ingham of Brighton, Mrs. Carrie Hancock of Iuka, Ill., and Miss Edith Bartlett of Godfrey. He leaves also eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Bethany church, where he attended services for many years while it was a regular church, and services will be conducted by Rev. John W. Green of the Godfrey Congregational church. Burial will be in the Bethany cemetery. ****************************************************
BARTLETT, ELIZABETH D./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 19, 1923 Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bartlett, in her eighty-eighth year, died last evening at 6:20 o'clock in the home in which she had lived since she moved there in 1858, two miles north of Godfrey. Her death had been expected, as she had been in failing health for eighteen months. Most of the time in the last year she had been confined to her bed. She was attended by her children in her dying hours. Mrs. Bartlett was the widow of Charles H. Bartlett, who died two years ago, at the age of 92, from old age. The death of her aged companion in life was perhaps one of the causes of the breakdown of the health of the aged woman. She missed him keenly and one of her greatest consolations was that she would soon be reunited with him, in the life beyond the grave. Mrs. Bartlett was born in Holden, Mass., and would have been eighty-eight years of age the 23rd of December. She was married in the east and two of her children were born there. She came here about 1858 and passed the remainder of her life on the old home place in Godfrey where she reared her children. Six children survive her, Mrs. Fanny Donnell of St. Louis, Mrs. Thomas T. Ingham of Brighton, Mrs. John D. Hancock of Iuka, Ill., Charles W. Fred and Miss Edith L. Bartlett of Godfrey. She was interested in the Congregational church in which the members of her family held membership. She was beloved in the neighborhood where she lived, and to her family she was a good mother. In her declining years she received the most devoted attention of her family members. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home north of Godfrey and services will be conducted by Rev. Ray Barber, who is pastor of the Congregational church. Burial will be in the Bethany cemetery. **************************************************
BATES, MARTHA J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 18, 1919 The funeral of Mrs. Martha J. Bates, who died April 16th at St. Louis, Mo., was this afternoon from the Lock undertaking chapel and interment was in Oakwood cemetery, Upper Alton. Services were conducted by Rev. Robert Morris, pastor of the First Methodist church. Mrs. Bates was 79 years old, and was well known in Alton. She was a sister of Mrs. Lydia Rummerfield, of Alton, her only surviving relative. The body was brought to Alton last night. *************************************************
BAUER, JUSTINA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 17, 1920 The funeral of Mrs. Justina Bauer was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Evangelical Church at Eighth and Henry streets in which she had held membership for many years. Notwithstanding a pouring rain, the church was filled with friends and relatives, and a remarkable feature of the funeral was the large number of old persons present, though the day was such as to justify them in staying at home. The services were conducted by Rev. O. W. Heggemeier, the pastor. The floral offerings were beautiful, and the grave was a mound of flowers which spoke of the esteem in which the aged lady was held by her relatives and many friends. The pallbearers were five grandsons, Edwin, Frank, Henry, John and George Bauer, and one great grandson, Paul Kopp. A quartet sang two selections at the church. Interment was in City Cemetery. *************************************************
BAUER, LUCAS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 21, 1923 Fourteen Foot Fall Breaks Neck of Lucas Bauer Lucas Bauer, in his seventy-third year, was killed this morning by falling about 14 feet in a barn on the Maneke place in Godfrey. His neck was broken by the fall. Bauer, who is a widower and has no children, kept a carpenter shop at Bethalto and lived in the rear. He put in his time doing carpentry work and his services were in great demand about the country. He had been called to do some work on the old Deleplaine place in Godfrey township, and while there something went wrong with the apparatus used for hoisting hay into the barn and moving it about the barn, on the Maneke place. Mr. Bauer was asked to go to the Maneke place to make a repair and he did so. He had finished the work and was taking down an extension ladder on which he had been working, when he fell headlong to the floor of the barn and died instantly. Mr. Bauer had few relatives. He was a second cousin of the late John Bauer and he worked at one time for Mr. Bauer making coffins in Alton, when undertakers made some of their stock. He was a fine workman and an expert cabinetmaker. He was frequently called upon to make repairs and do fancy work in the line of his trade. He made a practice of visiting in Alton almost every week at the home of Mrs. Louisa Bauer, widow of his second cousin, and at the home of W. H. Bauer. When he was killed, word was sent to W. H. Bauer, and he took charge of the body and made the funeral arrangements as there were no closer relatives to take charge. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock from the home of Mrs. Louisa Bauer, 61 East Sixth street, and the body will be taken to Bethalto for burial beside the body of his wife, who died in 1914. Mr. Bauer was born in Germany, but came to this country when he was 17 years of age and for fifty years he had lived in Bethalto and vicinity. *********************************************
BAUER, WEERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 18, 1923 Old Soldier Answers Taps - Fought After Surrender of Lee, Taking Ft. Blakely Weert Bauer, veteran of the Civil war, and well known resident of Alton, died Saturday night at midnight at his home, 324 East Third street. He was in his eighty second year. Mr. Bauer had been in a bad way for some time from a malady incident to his age. He had made a remarkable rally two years ago when it seemed that he was about to die and surgeons amputating one of his legs, he recovered so that he was able to get about the streets and attend to his business affairs. He showed great recuperative powers at the time the amputation was performed, when many believed it would be impossible for him to survive the shock of the amputation. It will be recalled that a few years ago Mr. Bauer caused the arrest of St. Louis confidence worker who had swindled him out of $14,000 and his one purpose in life after that was to prosecute the swindler and see that he was punished. In this he succeeded. He had the satisfaction of knowing that the man who had victimized him, taking advantage of his great age, had been convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary and was serving out a term there, after having for many years found immunity in his frauds, Joseph Pellinski was the name of the swindler who persuaded Mr. Bauer that for a liberal sum of money he could help Mr. Bauer to find, by occult means, buried treasure in his back yard. When Mr. Bauer realized that he had been swindled, he kept the fact from his wife until it became absolutely necessary to tell her, just before general publicity was about to be given to the charges he had made against Pellinski. When the case came up for trial, there developed a waiting game. Pellinski hoped that Bauer would die and made every effort to stave off a trial, but at last it was necessary for him to go to trial. Bauer became desperately sick and the surgeons advised amputation of one leg as a last resort to save his life. It proved successful and Mr. Bauer recovered sufficiently to be able to go to court and there he told such a convincing story of his dealings with Pellinski that the jury convicted the swindler. At that time it was remarked that Mr. Bauer showed a wonderful memory for dates, places and names and all circumstances for a man of his years and it was impossible for clever cross examining by the lawyer for Pellinski to shake his story. Pellinski at last had to go to prison. Mr. Bauer never got any of his money back. Mr. Bauer was born in Germany and came to this country when he was 15 years of age. He enlisted in Co. A, 97th Illinois volunteers and saw service in many of the great battles of the Civil War. He participated in the last battle of the war, fought after Lee had surrendered, but before word of the surrender had reached Mobile where the battle was fought. The fight was for the capture of Ft. Blakely, and was a thrilling one. Mr. Bauer was one of the soldiers in the 97th regiment who crawled through the port holes from which the Confederates were firing their cannon, and in a hand to hand battle inside the fort captured the place at a heavy sacrifice of life. He was a man of strong physique. For many years he lived near Bunker Hill and was engaged in farming. When he retired he moved to Alton and had lived here ever since. Mr. Bauer leaves his wife, five children and three stepchildren. The children and Reiner Bauer of Nokomis, Herman Bauer of Moweaqua, William Bauer of Artesia, Calif., Mrs. H. E. Engleman of Conway Springs, Kan., Mrs. M. J. Broers of Gillespie. The step children are Mrs. Osterkamp of Gillespie, Mrs. Madison Busby of Reno and Fred Miller of Nokomis. The funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the home, conducted by Rev. O. W. Heggemeier, and entombment will be in the Grandview masoleum. ************************************************
BAUSMAN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 31, 1921 Three Die Enroute to Hospital While enroute to St. Elizabeth's Hospital to attend her daughter, who was to undergo an operation for appendicitis, Mrs. Mary Keaton, 28, wife of Martin Keaton, 2214 Bryan Avenue, Granite City, with Mrs. Mary Craig, 45, wife of Clement Craig, 2223 Missouri Avenue, Granite City, was instantly killed when the Craig automobile was struck by the Wabash fast passenger train at Granite City at 7 o'clock today. William Bausman, a son of Mrs. Craig by a former marriage, who was injured, died an hour later in St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Mrs. Keaton's daughter was on the operating table and the anesthetic was about to be administered, when her mother was killed. The operation was postponed. The daughter has not been told of her mother's tragic death. The bodies of the three dead have been taken in charge by Coroner Edward Mercer, who will conduct an inquest. The automobile was driven by Mrs. Craig. Information at the office of the coroner was that the automobile was going at a moderate rate of speed. Just as it reached the tracks, it was said, Mrs. Craig saw the speeding train and made an effort to throw the engine into reverse. This action failed to get the machine off the track and the speeding train crashed into it. The two women were instantly killed. The boy was rushed to the hospital, and every effort made to save his life, but failed. Clement Craig, husband of the woman driving the automobile, is mess sergeant at Jefferson Barracks. Keaton is a craneman at the Commonwealth Steel Co. At almost the same instant that the fatal accident at Granite City occurred, a Wabash train crashed into the rear end of a Chicago and Alton passenger train at Madison. The last coach of the Alton train was thrown from the tracks when the rails spread, and demolished. No one was in the rear car when the Wabash train crashed into it. Presence in the car would probably have meant certain death. **********************************************
BEALL, EDMOND/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 31, 1920 Alton Businessman, Mayor, and State Senator Dies on Vacation in the West Edmond Beall, former mayor and state senator, died this morning at Los Angeles, Calif., from a malady that attacked him early this week. Erysipelas with complications was the cause of his death. Mr. Beall had gone to Los Angeles with his wife to enjoy the winter. He was in good health when he left, and was having the time of his life, as his letters to the Telegraph and to friends indicated. There was no thought, until early this week, but what he would come back home in the springtime without having anything but the best of health while he was gone. Though some of his friends said that they had noticed he was failing somewhat in his energy, in the last few years, there were few men who had more life and vigor in them than he, and none who could enjoy a good time better, nor make others around him have so good a time. The news of his sickness given out yesterday, coupled with the word of his death that came this morning, was received with genuine sorrow all over the city. It was known Thursday night that his condition was most serious, but the later message that was received Friday morning was more reassuring. His son, Wesley Beall, had gone to California to join his parents there and arrived just about the time Mr. Beall was taken sick. He will accompany Mrs. Beall and the body of Senator Beall back to Alton. The story of the life of Edmond Beall is interwoven intimately with the history of the greater development of the city of Alton. He was born in Alton, and lived here all his life. His whole interest was centered in Alton, and his love and support for his native city never wavered. Denied in childhood the advantages of much of an education he made a wonderful success in life, and he helped more than perhaps anyone else in the upbuilding of the city, in making it physically better and finally in improving its moral conditions. Fourteen years he served his city as alderman in the city council; eight years he served as mayor; four years he served his senatorial district as state senator. But to speak of his service in official life and stop there would be leaving out some of the most important service he rendered to the community. As a citizen he was an invaluable asset for Alton. He believed in his home city, he invested every dollar of his fortune in Alton in tangible assets, and he contributed greatly as a business man and as an investor to Alton's prosperity. He contributed further by his contagious optimism about Alton. He spurred others on to greater efforts and he would always take the lead when he was asked. Many an organization in the city owed its prosperity to the guiding influence of Beall. The motto of his life was "______ now." He loved to declare that nothing was considered impossible to be done, that was what he sought to do. This statement he often made in referring to his efforts to give a cleanup for Alton, and those who know how effective his cleanup campaign was in Alton and what obstacles he contended with, appreciated the victory he had won. Edmond Beall was born in Alton, September 27th, 1848, and was a grandson of one of the pioneers of the city. Belle street was originally Beall street, and was named for his grandfather, also Senator Beall's namesake. When Edmond Beall was seven years of age, his own father died, and it was only a few years after that that the young son was obliged to go to work. From that time his life was one of the greatest activity. He was a human dynamo for energy. He made quick decisions and acted on them. When he was a boy of twelve he entered the employ of the Alton Telegraph as office boy. Hard work had no terrors for him. He became an expert pressman and his knowledge of that craft never deserted him. He was a competent critic of press work. He engaged in the job printing business, which had been a part of the Telegraph office, purchasing it from the owners of the newspaper. A partner who was not too discriminating about mine and thine put the Beall finances on the rocks. He quit the printing business and went to work with his brother, Charley, who was operating a little blacksmith shop where mining tools were being hammered out by hand. That was the beginning of a great mining tool industry that was built up in Alton. The business grew and made good profits. The one time poor boy began to invest his earnings in Alton real estate. He had made it a rule of his life to save something no matter how little he made. He bought and built house after house in the city until he was possessed of more good houses than any other single real estate owner in the city. He always declared that he would never invest in any business he could not control, and for that reason put what money he had aside from his investment in business, in real estate in Alton. He never speculated, never lost any money in any wild ventures. As a boy of 15, he enlisted in the service of his country as a private. He claimed the honor of being one of the youngest soldiers in the Union army in the Civil War. In the year 1905, Mr. Beall, after many years of experience in city affairs, was induced to become a candidate for mayor of Alton. He served three successful terms of two years each, the only man in the history of the city who achieved that. During his term of office, he inaugurated a great improvement campaign. He paved approximately 20 miles of streets, built many sewers, and started Alton earnestly on the upgrade. It was the greatest period of public improvements the city had ever known. During his term of office he was prevailed on to become a candidate for state senator and was elected to that office. Though the shams of official life at Springfield irked him, he took a prominent part in legislative affairs and when invited to become a member of the Illinois Vice Commission to investigate vice conditions in the state, he accepted. He took a prominent part in that and later when a movie concern wanted to make a motion picture show out of the vice commission's report, Beall was one of the most prominent actors in the film production. It was the information he gained during the vice commission inquiry, showing cause and effect, that made Senator Beall resolve to quit the senate and get back home again and become a candidate for a fourth term as mayor. He declared he wanted to have the opportunity of giving Alton the cleanup she needed. He dared to come out on a platform in which he pledged absolute law enforcement. That was indeed a daring thing to do as Alton had always been dominated by organized vice, while the majority of people, opposed to vice, were unorganized. He was elected by a good majority and immediately began the cleanup in 1915. In the two years he was mayor he kept everlastingly on the job, despite discouragements, and at times apparent lethargy on the part of those whom he had expected to give him backing. He was so energetic in his leadership that, it is probably true, many thought he needed no support, but he craved it and often wearied of lack of interest of some whom he had confidently expected to help him. He completed his term in 1917. In the face of the fact that his physician warned him against continuing in the race for mayor against W. M. Sauvage, and the fact that Mr. Beall was about decided to withdraw, some of his friends persuaded him to remain in the fight. He continued the campaign and was defeated. He showed his good sportsmanship afterward by becoming a cordial supporter of his successful opponent. It was one of the characteristics of Mr. Beall that he could hold enmity against no man. He said that he would regard it as the finest epitaph that could be placed on his tombstone that he had no one whom he would go a step out of his way to do an ill turn. During his official career he demonstrated this by picking, at times men who had fought him to hold positions of importance under him. There are several striking instances of this attitude of mind of Mr. Beall. He wasted no time in hating anyone, and always argued that molasses was better fly bait than vinegar. One of the acts of Mr. Beall that attracted nationwide attention was his building of the Storks Nest flats in Alton, in which he encouraged people to live who had children. He loved children himself, and considered them a necessary part of every good home. He had in this view a cordial sympathizer of President Roosevelt, and the two were great friends. After his retirement from public office, and since he was out of business, Mr. Beall devoted his years to enjoying life. He bought a little farm to which he gave much attention and lavished on it much money. He was capable of enjoying life fully, and found the secret of being happy was never to let trifles worry him. He was the very essence of good cheer, was one of those plain, natural sort of persons who are all too scarce. His death is sincerely mourned by a whole city. Mr. Beall is survived by his wife to whom he had been married fifty years, and by two daughters, Mrs. L. Caywood and Mrs. Hattie Gill; and three sons, Wesley Beall, Edward H. Beall, and Roy Beall. One son, E. H. Beall, is in New Orleans and was summoned home by news of his father's death. The time of the funeral will be announced later.
Career of Edmond Beall At a Glance: September 27, 1848 - Born at Alton, son of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Beall, pioneer residents of the city. The father of Senator Beall was born here in 1815. The grandfather of the late Senator moved to this city from Ohio in 1813, shortly after the city was founded. 1860 - Began work in office of Alton Telegraph as "printer's devil." May 12, 1864 - Four months before sixteenth birthday enlisted in Company D, 133rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at the time youngest Union soldier from Illinois. Was mustered out of service at Camp Butler, near Springfield on September 24, 1865. Last service was assisting in decoration of old home of Abraham Lincoln. 1872 - Became engaged in manufacture of mining tools. Operation of plant begun on capital of $75. Industry has grown to be one of most important in district. 1905 - Elected mayor of Alton, and served three successive terms. Previous to this had been chosen alderman from the old fourth ward for 14 successive terms. Three terms as Mayor marked great progress in the city. 1910 - Elected State Senator, from 47th District. 1915 - Elected Mayor of Alton for fourth term. 1917 - Announced retirement from public life.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph February 2, 1920 The funeral of former Mayor Edmond Beall will be held next Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the family home on Twelfth street. The services will be conducted by Rev. Edward L. Gibson of the First Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev. C. E. Combrink of the Twelfth Street Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be public. Burial will be in City Cemetery. It was given out today by Roy Beall and E. H. Beall that Mrs. Beall and son, Wesley, were leaving Los Angeles this morning with the body of the former mayor. They will arrive in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, and will be met there by Roy Beall and Mrs. Hattie Gill, and the party will, if proper connections can be made, arrive in Alton at 1:10 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Beall has signified a desire that the funeral be held Saturday afternoon. She is reported to be standing up well under her affliction, though the loss of her devoted husband is a terrible blow to her. A letter that came to the Telegraph by Wesley Beall, which tells of the sickness of his father. Wesley Beall was not called there by sickness of anyone. He happened to decide to join his parents in Los Angeles and fortunately arrived just at the time his father was taken sick. The father had just gone to bed with an attack of erysipelas when Wesley arrived at the hotel. The letter concluded: "Father says he will come home just as soon as he is well enough." Word that came to the family in Alton indicated that Mr. Beall had gone for a trip into the mountains and that it had been too much for him. He had been suffering from shortness of breath at home, and when he went into the rarer atmosphere in the mountains, he suffered bad effects which caused him to collapse when he returned to the hotel. He was alone in his room and managed to get to a telephone and call for help. Immediately help was rendered him. That was the day that his son Wesley arrived in the evening. Members of the family see in the sudden decision of Wesley Beall to go to California almost an act of Providence. They reason that his presence there made it possible for Mrs. Beall to be much better taken care of than she would have been with none but strangers to comfort her in her affliction.
GREAT THRONG HONORS MEMORY OF BEALL Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 7, 1920 The entire city of Alton took occasion this afternoon to honor the memory of their deceased ex-mayor and former state senator Edmond Beall. By reclamation of the mayor, all business was stopped for five minutes, bells were tolled, street cars stopped where they were, and practically the entire city mourned the loss of the best friend Alton ever had. There was a large attendance, not only of people from Alton, but many prominent men from out of the city were present, representative of the wide acquaintance of the former mayor had. The floral offering that were sent by friends were rich and numerous. It was perhaps the greatest display of flowers ever seen at a funeral in Alton, notwithstanding the fact that flowers were scarce and hard to get. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Edward L. Gibson of the First Presbyterian church, who was assisted by Rev. C. E. Comnbrink of the Twelfth Street Presbyterian church. For years Mr. Beall had been a deeply interested member and regular attendant at the Bible class which Rev. Gibson conducts on Sunday mornings. In his eulogy of Mr. Beall, the officiating clergyman dwelt on the admirable characteristics of the deceased, his loyalty to his friends, his love for his town, and the work he did for his home city, both physically and morally. The clergyman and Mr. Beall had been intimate friends and the eulogy was filled with intimate knowledge that the speaker had of the deceased. The active pallbearers were: John McAdams, George Huskinson, William P_____, William P. Boynton, Dr. G. Taphorn, W. A. Tipton, Alex Cousley, F. F. Ferguson. The honorary pallbearers were: John McGinnes, George Allen, William Smith, Joseph W. Carey, George Levis, H. M. Schweppe, O. S. Stowell, G. H. Lane, Mayor W. M. Sauvage, Ex-Mayor J. C. Faulstich, C. B. Johnston, Ex-Mayor J. J. Brenholt. By order of Mayor Sauvage, the City Hall was closed the entire afternoon out of respect for the deceased ex-mayor. Flags throughout the city generally were at half mast. One interesting mark of respect was at the Hippodrome, where at the appeared hour, there was a card displayed on the screen "In Memory of Edmond Beall" then for a space of five minutes the curtain was drawn on the stage after which the show was resumed. *********************************************
BECKER, LEONARD F. (PVT.)/Source: Troy Call, January 1, 1900 Pvt. Leonard F. Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Becker, is the first Marine township soldier boy to fall in action in France. The parents received a telegram last week from the War Department informing them of their son's death which occurred on Wednesday, October 9th. The last letter received from him was written on October 3rd and was received before the announcement of his death. Private Becker left here in September 1917 with the first contingent of soldier boys and received his first military training at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, being sent overseas last spring. He was 24 years of age and besides being survived by his parents, leaves two brothers, both of whom are in the army service. *********************************************
BECKWITH, MARTHA C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 22, 1919 Mrs. Martha C. Beckwith, 40 years of age, died this morning at 4 o'clock at her home, 1230 East Broadway, following a short illness. She leaves two sons, Russell and Elmer, one daughter, Susie, a brother, F. W. Wilcox of Helena, Ark., and a sister, Mrs. Julia Canham of Alton. Mrs. Beckwith was born in Alton and spent her whole life here. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but burial will be private. ********************************************
BEEBE, EVA/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, Wednesday, February 7, 1899
BEEM, NICHOLAS J./Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, July 25, 1878 The remains of Mr. Nicholas J. Beem arrived in town Thursday A.M., from Chicago, in charge of his brother, Gen. Martin Beem. The funeral took place at 10 o'clock at the family residence, and was attended by a large number of friends and acquaintances. The services were conducted by Rev. T. G. Field, pastor of the Baptist church. After prayer and reading of Scriptures, the Reverend gentleman, in the course of his remarks, paid a merited tribute to the character of the deceased, especially as regards his devotion to his relatives and friends, and his unselfish preference for the good of others rather than his own. The discourse throughout was tender and appropriate, and feelingly commented on the sad bereavement the stricken family had been called upon to endure in the loss of the son and brother whose aid and counsel had long been their stay and comfort. At the close of the service the procession moved to the cemetery where the mortal remains of the departed were laid to rest by the side of his mother in the family burial place, which he had done so much to beautify and decorate. The bearers on the occasion were Messrs. W. D. Hodge, Fred Detrich, Edgar A. Auten, Frank Cotter, O. B. Stelie and Charles Russell. **************************************************
BELK, IDA MAE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 20, 1921 Mrs. Ida Mae Belk, wife of Lee Belk, retired Madison county farmer, dropped dead in the yard of their home at 2125 College Avenue at 8 o'clock today. Mrs. Belk was 48 years old. Mrs. Belk, with her husband, was working about the yard of their home. Both Belk and his wife were cutting grass, using sickles. Mr. Belk was about 15 feet from his wife when he heard her groan. He looked and saw her sitting on the ground. Suddenly she fell over. He immediately ran to her and found her unconscious. He called to neighbors, and while efforts were being made to revive her, a doctor was sent for. When he arrived, he pronounced her dead. Mrs. Belk, it was said, had been in good health. Her death, the physician said, was due to heart trouble. Deputy Coroner, C. N. Streeper took charge of the body and will conduct an inquest tomorrow. Mr. Belk formerly conducted the Montgomery farm, east of Upper Alton. For some time, however, he has resided in Upper Alton, following his retirement as a farmer. Funeral services will be conducted at the home on College Avenue at 3 p.m. Sunday, by the Rev. Theodore Cates, pastor of the Upper Alton Methodist church. Interment will be in the Montgomery cemetery. Mrs. Belk is survived by her husband. She was born in Brownsville, Tenn., and was married to Mr. Belk in St. louis, 26 years ago. They made their home on the Montgomery farm until 11 years ago, when they moved to Upper Alton. **************************************************
BELL, ALBERT "PAT"/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, March 25, 1897 As was mentioned in the Telegraph Monday evening, Albert Bell, youngest son of Mr. James Bell, the liveryman, died Monday in a hospital at Terre Haute, Indiana. The young man left home unexpectedly last Thursday, in company with a young friend, and took with him a small amount of money that he had been saving. At Terre Haute, the money that the two boys had, had been spent and they slept in an exposed place. Not being accustomed to exposure, Albert Bell was taken very ill and was found in an almost unconscious condition by the police. In the meantime, his friend left for home and on his arrival here said nothing of the illness of Bell. The first information received was by telegram yesterday to Chief of Police Kuhn, stating that a young man had been found at that place very ill, and that just before becoming unconscious, after he was found, he had said that his name was Pat Bell of Alton, Ill. At first Chief of Police Kuhn could not think of anyone in town by that name but it was suggested that a son of Mr. James Bell had been nicknamed "Pat" and that he was the young man at Terre Haute. A telegram was sent at once by the father and about four o'clock a message was received stating that Pat Bell had just died. The unfortunate young man was only 20 years of age, and had managed his father's livery business for some time. *************************************************
BENBOW, AMOS EDWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 15, 1922 Formerly Dominant Force in Democratic Party - Founder of Benbow City Amos Edward Benbow, for years one of Madison county's most familiar figures, died yesterday at 5 p.m. following an illness of three years, at the home of Mrs. Helen B. Messenger, 1406 Washington avenue, where he had made his home. He was 72 years old. Against the malady with which he was stricken three years ago, Mr. Benbow fought one of his typical battles, the kind that had made him a power in politics and business for many years. More than a year ago, he became critically ill, but by his indomitable will survived the crisis. A few weeks ago, however, he suffered a relapse which, it was thought, would hasten the end, and his niece, Mrs. Abie C. Flack, was called from West Carrollton, Ohio, to attend him. The death of Mr. Benbow removes from Madison county one of its familiar characters after a career noted for its picturesqueness. In his youth he displayed that will and ability which later made him a power in the Democratic party in the county and state, and a dominant factor in business. In the old days, when county tickets were nominated at party conventions, Mr. Benbow, or "Judge," as he was known to his intimates, was one of the most prominent members of the Democratic party. He knew politics thoroughly and had the faculty of gathering around him men who would follow his leadership. A large man, towering more than six feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, he was truly a dominant figure. In politics he was an opponent worthy of any man's steel, and those who engaged him in the battle of politics knew, when the fight was over, that they had competed with an adversary who fought so long as there was the slightest chance to win, and fought with every ounce of his energy. It was an unusual trait of the character of Judge Benbow that he rarely carried his political enmities outside the party. Some of his warmest friends were men of opposite political belief, or men he had opposed vigorously in his own party. A son of Richard M. Benbow, he was born in Wood River township on February 20, 1850. He was of distinguished ancestry, a collateral descendant of Admiral John Benbow, many years ago a famous officer of the English navy. Mr. Benbow's paternal grandfather was a life-long resident of England and owned an estate in Riffle Worchester, where he conducted the Stafford Bridge Inn. Richard was one of three sons who was being educated by his father for the Episcopal ministry. When started out on his journey for preparatory school, Richard Benbow gave up his intended career and boarded a steamer for America. After working in St. Louis, he settled at Fort Clark on the Illinois River, but later purchased a tract of land near the mouth of Wood River in Madison county. Edward Benbow attended the public schools of his native district, and then attended Shurtleff College for three years. Upon leaving college, he taught school for six years, his first position being at the Hull school. After that he engaged in the real estate business. In 1908 he platted Benbow City of which he was elected mayor. As head of that town, he made his famous fight against the encroachment of Wood River, insisting the place was Benbow City, not Wood River. Several years later he disposed of some of his land to the Standard Oil Co., and Benbow City ceased to exist. Mr. Benbow served two terms as mayor of Upper Alton. Other public offices held included constable, justice of the peace, assessor, collector and deputy sheriff. He represented his district in the Forty-fourth Illinois General Assembly. During President Cleveland's first administration, he was Deputy United States Marshal, for the Southern Illinois district, which included 69 counties. Mr. Benbow was a deep student of history, and was well informed on politics and government. He was a loyal Democrat and a great admirer of former President Wilson. One of his chief regrets was that he has been unable to vote regularly during the past two years. Mr. Benbow had been confined to his room for more than two years. Much of this time he was able to sit up and he read extensively, retaining his knowledge of local and national events. He discussed current topics with his visitors and showed the same vigor in his denunciation of things that displeased him and praise of those he liked. He always spoke of what he termed the certain triumph of the principles of Woodrow Wilson. He followed world events with the same close attention and was interested in the result of negotiations regarding German reparations. Mr. Benbow was a member of the Odd Fellows for 50 years, and several months ago was awarded the Veterans' Jewel by the Upper Alton lodge. The jewel was one of his most cherished possessions. Funeral services at the home of Mrs. Messenger at 2:30 tomorrow will be in charge of the Odd Fellows. Services will be conducted at the Upper Alton Presbyterian church at 3:00, and interment will be in Oakwood cemetery in the Odd Fellows' lot.
As president of the Upper Alton village board, Mr. Benbow is specially remembered for a proposition to give Upper Alton a water works system of which he was the originator. That was about thirty years ago when Upper Alton had no water, light, nor any other conveniences afforded now by public utilities. According to the proposition, Upper Alton was to issue bonds for $50,000 and a complete water works system was to be installed in the town. In those days $50,000 was a big sum, and it looked so big that it staggered the Upper Alton people. The proposition was known at that time as the "Benbow Water Works Scheme," and it was one of the most important questions that had ever been submitted to the people of Upper Alton up to that time. Many prominent people investigated the plan of Benbow, and after studying it from many angles, endorsed it. A great political fight followed, and the water works scheme was fought bitterly by what turned out to be the majority when the election was held while many others fought hard with Benbow to carry the bond issue. It was one of the bitterest fights, politically, Benbow ever experienced. While he lost in his water works fight, he made a fight that was not forgotten and for many years afterward Upper Alton people regretted that Benbow's plan for a water system was not carried out. In 1900, eleven years afterward, the mains of the Alton Water Co. were extended to Upper Alton and water service was given. The bond issue election in the fight to put through Benbow's water works scheme created factions among Upper Alton's voters, the effects of which were felt for years afterward, in fact as long as the village remained a separate corporation from the City of Alton. Years after Benbow went out of office as village president and even was out of politics altogether in Upper Alton, the two factions continued to fight and when any question came up or any individual was running for an office, the two factions took opposite sides in the matter. **********************************************
BENNES, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 11, 1923 Victim of Explosion at Western Cartridge Co., East Alton, 1923 Frank Bennes, one of the victims of the accident, was a well known resident of Alton. He had lived here since 1882 and was a glassblower for the Illinois Glass Co. until that company discontinued the use of glassblowers about nine years ago. He was 65 years of age and beside his wife, he leaves five children, Miss Leila Bennes, Paul Bennes, Frank Bennes Jr., Mrs. Don Brice and Mrs. R. S. Stansfield. He was a man who had been very prominent among the glassblowers in former days. For some time he had been working at the cartridge plant. Plans were made today to hold the funeral of Mr. Bennes Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Patrick's church, if the two married daughters, Mrs. Brice of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Mrs. Stanfield of Drumright, Okla., arrive in time. Word from the two daughters was to the effect that they expected to arrive tonight. **********************************************
BENNINGTON, DOCK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 11, 1922 Dock Bennington, for years an employee of the Mississippi Lime and Material Co., was fatally injured in St. Louis Saturday while at work on a government boat, dying in a hospital later on. Bennington was walking about the boat when he stepped on a loose plank. He was a large, heavy man, and the plank upended with such force as to strike him in the face and he was knocked into the river. He was rescued from the water and taken to the hospital where he died. The body was brought to Alton today, and taken to the home of a brother on Rodemeyer avenue, from whence the funeral will be tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. *********************************************
BENNINGTON, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 1, 1922 Frank Bennington, aged 46, died last night after a long illness at his home in Alton. He leaves his wife and four sons. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon. Mr. Bennington had been a sufferer from tuberculosis. *******************************************
BERG, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 22, 1923 John Berg died last night at 11:25 at his home, 720 Alby street, after an illness of several weeks, due to arterial trouble. He was 71 years old. Mr. Berg became ill several weeks ago but was forced to leave his work only at times, always returning, until weakness finally forced him to remain at home. He gradually grew worse, and the end was not unexpected. Mr. Berg was born at Weldon Springs, Mo., March 26, 1852. He moved to St. Charles, Mo., when young, and was engaged in the blacksmith business there for several years. Twenty-five years ago he entered the employ of his brother-in-law, George A. Sauvage, who conducts a cigar store and billiard hall on Piasa street. He was married to Miss Kate Sauvage on April 5, 1885. It was while working at the Sauvage establishment that Mr. Berg made the many friends who mourn his loss. During his illness there were many inquiries daily as to his condition, by patrons of the place who had come to regard John Berg as an institution. He was a member of a group of older residents who gathered at Sauvage's almost daily to discuss topics of the day, a perpetuation of the old-fashioned custom of daily considering national and international events. Many were the arguments on politics and other affairs which ended one day only to be renewed the next, always ending with the smile that was evidence of friendship. Mr. Berg is survived by his widow, Mrs. Kate Sauvage Berg, a grandson, John Herbert Crocker; a brother, Ben, of St. Louis, and a sister who resides in St. Charles, Mo. Funeral services will be at the home at 8 p.m. Tuesday and interment will be in City Cemetery. **************************************************
BERNER, THERESA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 4, 1922 Grandma Berner Dies ... Lived in Alton Three Quarters of Century - One of the Oldest Citizens Mrs. Theresa Berner, aged 95, died Sunday night at 8:20 o'clock at the home of her son, John Berner, 718 Langdon street, after a long illness. She had been suffering from a malady for several years but not until about four months ago was there any indication of rapid progress being made by the disease. She passed her ninety-fifth birthday a little over a month ago. Mrs. Berner was born in Germany and she came to America and to Alton when she was 20 years of age. She spent all of the remainder of her life in Alton and vicinity. She was the head of a large family of descendants. Only one son, John Berner, city treasurer, and two daughters, Mrs. John Crofton of Chicago, and Mrs. Frank Hansen of Carrollton, survive her. She leaves also four ____?? Jr., Miss Elizabeth Berner and Leo Berner of Alton; Miss Mamie Rippe, Mrs. Elizabeth Mohrmann, Mrs. Josephine Pawidusky and Mrs. Lucille Wright, of St. Louis; Charles Rippe of South Bend, Ind.; Mrs. Omar Hegle, Miss Elizabeth Crofton, Miss Theresa Crofton and John Crofton of Chicago; Catherine Hansen and Elizabeth Hansen, of Carrollton. She leaves also eight great-grandchildren. Recently Mrs. Berner lost her daughter, Mrs. W. F. Rippe, who died in St. Louis. At that time she was in bad condition herself and it was realized that she could not long survive her daughter. She never learned of her daughter's death. During her long life, Mrs. Berner had been a strong active woman, and she had been a good mother to her children. She was generally beloved by all her descendants and Grandma Berner, year after year, was the central figure in family gatherings, as she would annually add a figure to her birthdays. She was deeply interested in the work of her church, St. Mary's, and bore an active part in the work there until her great age forced her to relinquish those responsibilities to others. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from St. Mary's church. ********************************************
BERRES, J. PETER/Source: Granite City Press-Record, March 15, 1920 Death claimed another one of Granite City's pioneer residents last evening in the person of J. Peter Berres, who died at 9:10 o'clock at Elixian Bros. hospital, St. Louis, where he had been undergoing treatment for tumor. The deceased was 65 years of age and a resident of 2144 E street. Two sons and one daughter survive, all residents of this city. Mrs. Margaret Parsons, Matthew and John Berres. Three sisters also survive, Mrs. John Zimmer and Mrs. Catherine Berres, of this city, and Mrs. Bernard Welte, of Pittsburg, Pa. He was ill but four months preceding his death. The body will be brought back to this city and kept at the family residence for a few days and then taken to Pittsburg for burial. The deceased has been a resident of this city for the past 22 years, being employed at the Granite City Steel Words as roller. *********************************************
BERTINO, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 10, 1921 Mrs. Mary Bertino is dead, her husband, Matt Bertino, and another man, John Quartino, are in a serious condition in a hospital at East St. Louis as the result of an explosion in the Bertino home at Maryville, Saturday night at 9 o'clock. The story given out is that a gasoline stove exploded setting fire to the house, burning the clothing completely off Mrs. Bertino and burning the two men from the waist up. All three were rushed to the hospital in East St. Louis in an ambulance, and Mrs. Bertino died Sunday. Rumors that the explosion was due to the operating of a home still could not be verified as yet, but the coroner's office said there would be a complete investigation of that angle, as of other angles of the case. There are seven children in the Bertino family and none of them were burned. The dead woman was 40 years of age. Her husband is 50 years of age. *********************************************
BEST, EARL/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Monday, December 14, 1931/Submitted by Myra Ann Best Services For Earl Best Held Sunday - Funeral Held at Wegner Funeral Home in Staunton at 2 o'clock
Funeral services for Earl Best, 40,
resident of near Worden, who was found dead in a barn on the Best
farm Friday night, were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the
Wegener Funeral Home in Staunton. Rev. K. W. Kepner, pastor of the
Worden Methodist Church officiated. Interment was made in the
Staunton City Cemetery. Members of the Staunton American Legion had
charge of the services at the grave. At an inquest held Saturday
morning by Deputy A. J. Meyer, at Worden, a verdict that death was
caused by heart failure was returned. Mr. Best was born January 23,
1891, near Worden, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Best*. He was
a World War veteran. Surviving are his mother, Mary E. Best, three
sisters, Mrs. Ora Sandbach, Mrs. William L. Grant and Mrs. Louis
Bowles of Worden; four brothers, Charles, William, Monroe, and
Edward Best of Worden and vicinity.
MONROE BEST/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Friday, October 14, 1932/Submitted by Myra Ann Best Funeral services for Monroe Best, 47, who died Monday night in the St. Francis Hospital following a surgical operation, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Wegener Chapel, and were arranged similar to the services for a brother, the late Earl Best held on December 13, 1931. Rev. H. Kepner, pastor of the M. E. Church in Worden officiated. A quartet composed of Mrs. Margaret Allen, J. D. Courtney and Mrs. and Mrs. Hugh E. Menk furnished the hymns. Pallbearers were Christian Neal, Grover Kinnikin, John William and Albert Vesper and Nick Ramich. Interment was in the City Cemetery. ********************************************
BESTERFELDT, SALINDAY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 1, 1921 Mrs. Salinday Besterfeldt, aged 78, died Thursday night at 10:20 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Winger, of 709 Easton street, after a few hours illness. Old age, coupled with the heat, is said to have been the cause of death. Up until this week Mrs. Besterfeldt has been in fairly good health, and was visiting among her children in Alton and Elsah. She was brought to the Winger home only yesterday. She was a native of Kane, Ill. Her husband died twelve years ago. She leaves seven children, 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, also a brother, James Bates, of Reeder, Ill. The children are Leander Besterfeldt of Elkhardt, Kan.; Albert Besterfeldt, Mrs. Addie Agney and Mrs. Mae Pellikan of Elsah, and George and Harry Besterfeldt and Mrs. George Winger of Alton. Funeral arrangements are incomplete, pending word from Leander in Kansas. Plans are being made to hold services at Elsah, Sunday afternoon. *********************************************
BETTS, ELDEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 10, 1921 Church to Dedicate Tablet in Memory of Soldier Killed in World War Members of the St. Paul's Episcopal church will dedicate a tablet in memory of Elden Betts, one of the Alton soldiers who was killed in the World War. The tablet will be placed in the church, near the altar. It is planned to dedicate the memorial tablet on Oct. 9th, the third anniversary of the young officer's death. He was killed in action on Oct. 9, 1918. Elden Betts was the son of P. L. Betts of Twelfth street. At an officers' training camp he was commissioned a lieutenant, but by distinguished service rose to the rank of Captain. Many testimonials of his bravery and heroic death have been received from members of his company.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 13, 1921 The body of Lieutenant Elden Betts, one of the Alton soldiers killed in the war, will not be returned to Alton. Members of the family, when asked by the government if they desired the body returned, decided to let it remain in the military cemetery in France where it was buried. P. L. Betts, father of the young officer, who has had military experience, said they had decided it more feasible to let the body remain in France because there it is in a military cemetery, which will always be kept up as the resting place of the bodies of men who died in the service of their country. A memorial service for Lieut. Betts will be held in St. Paul's Episcopal Church on October 9, when a memorial tablet, presented by his father, will be dedicated. *******************************************
BETZ, A. F./Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, March 25, 1897 Alton & North Alton businessman and Assistant Supervisor on Alton County Board After an illness of several months duration, Mr. A. F. Betz, an old and well known citizen of Madison county, died at his home in North Alton Monday [March 22, 1897] morning at 11 o'clock. Mr. Betz was a native of Germany, being born in Heisterburg Nassau in March 1831, and had just passed his 66th birthday three days ago. He came to America in 1848 and was married in Philadelphia in 1852 to Miss Louise Arens. After their marriage they came to Alton, where for many years he was engaged in a mercantile business. About fifteen years ago he moved to North Alton and has since conducted a store in that village. Mrs. Betz died seven years ago. Two sons survive the father, Mr. H. A. Betz of Alton, and Mr. Louis Betz of North Alton; also two adopted children, Mrs. John Heileman of Marysville, Kansas, and Mr. Charles Bradfisch of St. Louis. Mr. Betz was respected by all who knew him, being a man of a just and upright disposition, having all the qualities of a strict business man and good citizen. He has for twelve years represented Alton township in the County Board as one of the Assistant Supervisors, in which body he was highly respected, and his advice and influence heeded. In 1895 he was Chairman of the Board. He was also a member of the North Alton School Board. There was a large assemblage at the home of the late A. F. Betz yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock, to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased. The services were begun at two o'clock and were conducted by Rev. William Hackman of the Evangelical church, of which Mr. Betz had been a member. There were many beautiful floral offerings expressive of sympathy that could not be spoken. There was in attendance a number of associates of Mr. Betz in the County Board and many others from abroad. A long cortege followed the body to the City Cemetery, where it was laid away for its last long rest. The pallbearers were Fred Pilgrim, Nic Seibold, William Gerhardt Sr., Jacob Youngck, E. J. Deterding, F. J. Ebbert. ************************************************
BEVENUE, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 15, 1923 Joe Bevenue, an employee of the Sparks Milling Co., who was injured a few days ago while at work in the elevator, died this morning at one o'clock at St. Joseph's Hospital, from the effects of injuries to his head. A surgical operation performed to relieve the pressure on his brain proved unavailing. A St. Louis surgeon, an expert in brain surgery, was called here by the Sparks Milling Co. in the hope of saving the life of the injured man, but he was unable to give any further relief. The coroner's inquest was held this morning. The evidence indicated that Bevenue had been "soaping" a wooden pulley to make the belt pull harder on it, and that while so doing he became entangled and was thrown with great violence to the concrete floor, striking his head so hard that the skull was fractured. He was the son of William Bevenue, a well known farmer in Godfrey township. Employers of the accident victim say that he was a hard working, reliable man. He worked at various times at the Sparks mill and had also worked for the Mississippi Lime and Material Co., and at both places he was highly valued. ***********************************************
BIBB, ONA/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, September 8, 1881 Mrs. Ona Bibb, an old resident of the city, died Saturday, the 3d of September, at 6:15 p.m. at the age of 58 years. The funeral took place Tuesday at 2 o'clock from the family residence in Middletown. The services were conducted by Mr. R. Jacobs. *********************************************
BICKEL, MARIE NORBERTA KOHIN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 28, 1919 Mrs. Marie Norberta Kohin Bickel, one of Alton's well known octogenarian residents, died Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at the family home, 517 Liberty street. Mrs. Bickel was the widow of the late Louis Bickel. Four children were born to them, but all preceded the mother to the grave. They were Louis Hoppe, Marie, August, and Louis Bickel. Four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren are living. The grandchildren are Marguerite and Louis Bickel, Louis Hoppe and Mrs. F. C. Behrens. The great-grandchildren are Frederick and Carl Behrens, Louis and Gertrude Hoppe. A daughter-in-law, Mrs. Anna Bickel, and a son-in-law, W. F. Hoppe, also survive. Mrs. Bickel was a native of Kehl, Baden, Germany. She was born June 6, 1834. She came to America in December, 1853, landing at New Orleans. From there she came to Alton and has been a resident of this city for 65 years. Mrs. Bickel was one of the best known residents in the part of the city where she lived, and had a wide acquaintance in Alton. She was known in her neighborhood and among her friends as a woman possessed of a motherly disposition, and she was known for her acts of kindness she rendered to those about her. In her family circle she was greatly beloved, and during her illness she was given the constant, devoted attention of those who were in her home. She was deeply interested in the return of her grandson, Louis Bickel, who was in the service during the war. He came home a month ago, gratifying a wish of the aged lady that she would be able to see her grandson and have him with her during the remaining days she would have. Mrs. Bickel belonged to a well known family in Alton. Her husband was for years engaged in the ice business in Alton. When all her children passed away before her, the motherly heart of Mrs. Bickel took in their children and their grandchildren and on them she lavished the affections which had been for her children. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. from St. Mary's Church. Burial will be in the City Cemetery. The members of the family have requested that flowers be omitted. *******************************************
BIERBAUM, ERNEST/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 28, 1899, Friday Ernest Bierbaum, one of the wealthiest and best known citizens of Foster township, died Thursday morning at his home after a short illness with pneumonia and paralysis combined. A stroke of paralysis rendered him helpless a few weeks ago, the third he had sustained, and later his illness developed into a bad form of pneumonia. He was born in Germany November 3, 1833, and came to this country many years ago. He was a thrifty farmer and from his farm in Foster township he made a small fortune, which will leave his family comfortably situated. Mr. Bierbaum was quite a young man when he arrived in Alton. He went to work for Dr. Long at his home on the Grafton road and worked there for a number of years. Later he rented a farm where is now one of the most thickly settled resident portions of Upper Alton, opposite Shurtleff College, then known as the Kendall place. He subsequently purchased the place where he died, and has since resided there. He was known all over Madison county and was respected by all who knew him. He leaves a family of seven children, all of mature years, and all married. They are: Mrs. Mary Offer and Mrs. P. H. Paul, of Alton; Mrs. Lizzie Graul, of Brighton; Mrs. Sophie Miller of Nokomis; Mrs. Julia Feilbach and Henry Bierbaum of Fosterburg; Ernest Bierbaum of Godfrey. The funeral will be Sunday at 10 a.m., from the family home near Fosterburg. Interment will be in the cemetery there. **********************************************
BISSINGER, JOSEPHINE (nee JOEHL)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 7, 1921 Wife of Louis E. Bissinger Dies Mrs. Louis E. Bissinger, aged 70, died this afternoon at 2:15 o'clock at St. Joseph's hospital, where she underwent an operation on Tuesday. Her condition was known to be serious and her death was not unexpected. She was taken to the hospital a week ago last Sunday for treatment. She is survived by her aged husband to whom she was married 53 years ago. She also leaves her two sons, William and Louis Bissinger, and three daughters, Mrs. Charles Krids, Miss Carrie Bissinger, and Miss Mary Bissinger. Mrs. Bissinger was born in St. Louis, but lived practically all her life in Alton. Her maiden name was Josephine Joehl. The Bissinger home is at 638 East Seventh street. Mrs. Bissinger was a well known Alton woman, and since her condition became so serious, friends have been very much interested. Her illness began three years ago. The arrangements for the funeral are incomplete, but it is expected that Mrs. Bissinger will be buried Monday morning. ******************************************************
BISSINGER, LOUIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 6, 1923 Old Soldier Who March With Gen. Sherman, Public School Man is Dead Louis E. Bissinger, for many years prominent in public life in Alton, member of the school board, member of the Alton post office force, and holder of other positions, died at his residence last night after a long period of disability from old age. His death had been expected for a long time and for days he had been unconscious, apparently sleeping, and he passed out quietly as if in sleep. The death of Mr. Bissinger removes a man who had been deeply interested in the public schools of Alton. He perhaps had the longest career of free service to the schools to his credit than any other Alton man. He would be reappointed year after year to the school board, children growing up and becoming men and associating themselves on the school board with Mr. Bissinger, and almost all of the time he remained a member. He was regarded as being one of the best posted men in Alton in public school affairs, in his time of service, and he rendered incalculable service to the school system in Alton. He was inclined to be a progressive, but not a radical. He was chairman of the finance committee of the school board for many years and kept in close touch with the finances of the board. While he was not penurious in handling school funds, he was careful, and though there were some very unusual calls for expenditures during the days when he was chairman of the finance committee, it is known that always good value was obtained for the money spent. He devoted much time to school work and it was only when his age made it necessary he willingly retired from the service of the public schools. During all the years he served, it should be remembered, he never could receive one cent compensation, his only pay being his satisfaction over helping in what was his pet hobby, the school system. Mr. Bissinger had been living in retirement, having given up his duties in the post office where he had served many years. His declining years were saddened by the death of his wife and the serious illness of one daughter and the absence of another daughter, far from home. He clung to his work in the post office until it became necessary for him to give it up owing to physical disability due to advancing age. Mr. Bissinger was born in Stuttgart, Germany, December 17, 1841, and was in his eighty-second year. He came to Alton when he was 17 years of age. For about 27 years he conducted a general merchandise store at Broadway and Cherry street. In the past 26 years he had been connected with the Alton post office. He was retired from that service when he reached the age limit. He was an alderman from the old fifth ward in the Alton city council, was supervisor of Alton township and was also assistant assessor and special tax collector. He served in the Union army during the Civil War, and made the march with Gen. Sherman through Georgia, "from Atlanta to the Sea." In the more than 20 years he served on the school board, he was finance chairman of the board 16 years. In the Alton post office he had charge of the postal savings department when he was instituted. More than 40 years he was a member of the German Benevolent society. He leaves five children, Louis Blissinger Jr. of Eaglewood, Cal., Mrs. Sue Kribs of Chester, Ill., Miss Carrie Bissinger of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mary Bissinger and William E. Bissinger of Alton. His wife died in January 1921 after over 55 years of married life. Mr. Bissinger was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary's church where he attended regularly until physically disability forced him to remain at home. He had been sick just three months to the day, when he died. The trouble began with the bursting of a blood vessel in his leg, then he took the grippe and never rallied. He had been unable to recognize anyone for a week. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning from St. Mary's church. Post office employees will serve as pall bearers. Burial will be in St. Joseph's cemetery. ***************************************************
BITTS, UNKNOWN WIFE OF WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 27, 1920 Mrs. William Bitts, 77 years of age, died at her home in Bethalto Monday afternoon. Death was due to hardening of the arteries, from which the deceased had been suffering for the last two years. Mrs. Bitts is survived by four children - two sons and two daughters. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at two o'clock from the family home. Burial will be in the Bethalto Cemetery. *************************************************
BLACK, JAMES M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 12, 1921 James M. Black, 59 years of age, died Friday morning at 5 o'clock, after an illness of two years suffering from paralysis at the family home in Hartford, Ill. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Wanda Doerges. The funeral will be held Sunday morning at 11 o'clock from the home. ************************************************
BLACK, LUCY JANE (nee DIMMICK)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 24, 1920 Mrs. Lucy Jane Black, widow of Joseph Black, died this morning at 2 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George A. Sauvage, 506 East Fourth street, following an illness of a month. Mrs. Black was in her 85th year, having celebrated her 84th birthday, November 6, last. The illness of Mrs. Black became serious several days ago, but her friends had hoped that she might recover. Her death causes general sorrow in the city. Mrs. Black was born at Apple River, Ill., and came to Alton 40 years ago. Before her marriage to Joseph Black, her name was Lucy Dimmick. During her residence in Alton she made many friends by her kindly disposition and loving nature. She was known as a woman fond of her home. She was a member of the Congregational church and was prominent in the activities of that church. Her husband died 20 years ago. Mrs. Black was the mother of the late H. L. Black, former president of the Hapgood Plow Co. She is survived by two sons, J. P. Black of Jennings, Ia., and B. E. Black of San Juan, Cal., both of whom are in Alton, and a daughter, Mrs. George A. Sauvage, with whom she made her home. The funeral will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. from the home of Mrs. Sauvage where services will be conducted by the Rev. C. C. Smith, pastor of the Congregational church. Interment will be in City cemetery. **********************************************
BLAIR, OSCAR/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 22, 1920 The remains of the victim of the fatal railroad accident which occurred Saturday morning near the Illinois Glass Plant here, were positively identified Saturday night at the morgue as those of Oscar Blair, 54 years of age and a resident of Upper Alton for the past 13 years. The circumstances surrounding the identification are singular in that the mystery is unraveled as predicted. When Mr. Blair, who lived at 1311 Main St. in Upper Alton, failed to return home at the usual time Saturday night, his wife, having read the Telegraph, became anxious and phoned her husband's employer in the boxing department at the Glass plant. She was informed that he had not been at work all day, and then expressed her fears suggesting that the employer visit the Deputy coroner's morgue. The employer, W. G. Seabold, visited the morgue and established the identity of the dead man. The failure of ascertaining the man's name earlier in the day is attributed to the fact that he had always worn glasses, but when hit by the train his glasses were lost. However, they were found late Saturday afternoon and brought to the morgue with the result that upon the arrival of Mr. Seabold the remains were immediately identified. The deceased had been employed in the boxing department of the Glass factory for approximately 13 years, and was well known to his fellow employees. He usually walked to work, and in so doing passed many acquaintances, but this was of no avail, owing to the absence of his glasses. He is survived by his wife. Funeral services will be held at 7:30 Tuesday morning from the home at 1311 Main Street, Upper Alton, and the remains will be taken to Glasgow, Illinois at nine o'clock. Interment will be at the latter place Tuesday afternoon. **********************************************
BLANKENSHIP, WINIFRED P./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 23, 1922 Word was received in Alton today that Mrs. Winifred P. Blankenship, wife of Robert Blankenship, had died in East St. Louis. The family formerly lived at 1025 west Ninth street in Alton. She had been an invalid for a long time and her death was due to tuberculosis. James Klunk went to East St. Louis today to bring the body to Alton for burial here. ***********************************************
BLOEMKER, RUDOLPH/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Tuesday, March 13, 1934 Rudolph Bloemker, 68, of this city, died at the hospital at the Madison County Home here yesterday afternoon. He had lived in Edwardsville for 20 years. His wife, Mrs. Sophia Bloemker, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at the Dauderman Funeral Home in Alhambra tomorrow afternoon with services at the Salem Church at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery. Mr. Bloemker is survived by four sons, Ernest Bloemker, Alhambra; William Bloemker, Decatur; Rudolph Bloemker, Springfield, Mo.; Gustave Bloemker of Los Angeles, Cal.; one daughter, Mrs. Ida Willcockson, of Kansas City, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, one brother, Ernest Bloemker, Alhambra, and a sister, Mrs. Sophia Suhre of Edwardsville. **********************************************
BODE, WILLIAM A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 3, 1922 Old Publisher of German Language Newspapers Succumbs William A. Bode, for many years publisher of German language newspaper in Alton and at St. Charles, Mo., died Sunday morning at 8:55 o'clock at his home, 432 east Eighth street, in Alton, after being an invalid for nine years. He had been sinking rapidly the last week of his life and his death was no surprise to the members of his family and his intimate friends. When he was first taken down nine years ago, it was believed that his illness was of little consequence, but he was never able to be about again. The malady which proved fatal was the hardening of the arteries, which was followed by a progressive paralysis that made rapid progress in the last week or ten days. Mr. Bode is best remembered in Alton and vicinity as the publisher of the Alton Banner, and later of the Alton Journal. He had disposed of his interest in the Banner and after a while launched the Journal, which suspended when Mr. Bode was taken sick and was no longer able to give it his personal attention. He belonged to the old school of publishers who not only wrote their own copy, but also set the type from which the printing was done. He never lost interest in printing and members of his family said that in his closing days, just before complete collapse came, in his delirium, the old publisher was trying to always to hasten his work of getting the type set, ready to go to press on time. In newspaper offices the number 30 is the symbol of completion, and when 30 came for him, he was still working hard so that he would be "on time." Mr. Bode was born at Hanover, Germany, and he would have been 73 years of age the 29th of this month. He came to America with his parents when 2 years old, and they settled at St. Charles, Mo. He learned the printing trade and published the Democrat at St. Charles. Thirty years ago, he came to Alton to take over the Alton Banner, and continued on that paper for many years. He was highly respected in Alton and at St. Charles and he was known both as a good man to his family and as a good citizen. Had he lived until the 7th of April he would have been able to have celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of his marriage to Mrs. Bode, who survives him. Beside his widow, he leaves five daughters, Mrs. W. W. Thousand, Mrs. Frank Wilson, Mrs. I. D. S. Shepler, Misses Hilda and Ella Bode. He leaves also three grandchildren, and two brothers, Christian and Henry Bode, both of St. Charles. His only sister died less than a year ago. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the family home, and burial was in City cemetery. ******************************************
BOEDEKER, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 18, 1922 The funeral of Henry Boedeker will be held Sunday, with services at the home on Lampert Street, at 1:30 o'clock and at the Lutheran Church on Central avenue at 2:00 o'clock. Boedeker died yesterday morning after an illness of three years. Four sons, Charles, Anton, George and Louis Boedeker, and two sons-in-law-, Arthur Laux and George Davis, will serve as pallbearers. Interment will be in the family lot in City cemetery. ***************************************
BOEHM, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 14, 1920 The funeral of Mrs. Mary Boehm was held this morning from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Gissal, to St. Mary's church where services were conducted by Rev. Fr. Joseph Meckel. There were many old friends of Mrs. Boehm at the funeral services. Burial was in St. Joseph's cemetery. The pallbearers were Minard Joehl, Chris Eckhard, John Manns, John Schmidt, Joseph Wuellner and Lawrence Hellrung. **************************************
BOEKER, CHARLES/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Friday, April 17, 1896 Charles Boeker, aged 10 years, died Monday night [April 13] at the home of his brother, F. H. Boeker, on Fillmore street, of diphtheria. The funeral took place Wednesday to Prairietown. The boy came to this city on Sunday, April 5, to learn the trade of shoemaker. He worked at K. Lorch's store the next day, and on Tuesday was taken sick and after a week's suffering died. ******************************************
BOESCHERT, BRIDGET/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 18, 1919 Mrs. Bridget Boeschert, wife of Martin Boeschert, died Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock at the family home, 632 east Ninth Street, after an illness of more than a year from cancer. She was born in Alton, the 4th of May, 1860, and had spent all of her life in the one neighborhood. She was a member of the order of Ladies of the Maccabbess, and one of its oldest members. She leaves beside her husband, four children: Walter, Felix, Paul, and Louisa. The funeral will be held from St. Mary's church Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. *****************************************
BOETTGER, EMIL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 29, 1920 The funeral of Emil Boettger was held this afternoon from the Moro Presbyterian church, and was largely attended by relatives and friends. Interment was in the Moro cemetery. Boettger died near Dorsey last week, being a victim of lockjaw. ******************************************
BOHART, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 1, 1923 John Bohart, aged 82, died this morning at 1:20 o'clock at the home of his son, Charles Bohart, 219 West Thirteenth street, following a week's illness with pneumonia. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. P. Bock of Ferguson, Mo., and two sons, Charles and Henry, both of Alton. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock from SS Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Interment will be in Greenwood cemetery. ******************************************
BOHEANS, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 31, 1921 George Boheans died Monday afternoon at the family home near Bethalto. His death was caused from asthma of which he had been a sufferer for several years. The deceased is the father of Mrs. George Oetkin of Wood River. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon from the family home. ******************************************
BOHNENSTIEHL, MRS. JACOB SR./Source: Troy Star, April 26, 1894 Mrs. Jacob Bohnenstiehl Sr., in the vicinity of Black Jack, died Tuesday morning. The funeral took place from the family residence this afternoon at 2 o'clock, services being held at the Protestant Church. *****************************************
BOLLMANN, CAROLINE/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Wednesday, January 20, 1892 Mrs. Caroline Bollmann, wife of Henry F. Bollmann, died Monday morning [Jan. 18], aged 39 years, 2 months and 7 days. She was born in Pin Oak township, being a daughter of the late Ernst Kriege, November 11, 1852. She married Henry F. Bollmann February 2, 1871. She was the mother of nine children. Her husband and eight children, the oldest 19 years and the youngest ten days, survive. The funeral took place yesterday. The services were held at the German M. E. church, Rev. John Schlagenhauf officiating. The remains were interred in Woodlawn cemetery. The pallbearers were: William Giese, Henry P. Stulken, William Stulken, M. Dieken, William Schaake, and Ernst Englemann. ************************************************
BOLLMANN, ELIZABETH/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, December 30, 1891 Mrs. Elizabeth Bollmann, aged 80 years, 9 months and 16 days, died at the home of her son, Herman, near this city, last night [Dec. 29], at 6 o'clock. Old age had been _____ on her for some time, and two weeks ago she took sick with la grippe, which was the immediate cause of her death. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning, at 11 o'clock, from the residence of her son, Herman, to the Ger____ .... The remains will be interred in Woodlawn cemetery. She was born March 13, 1811, in Linen Province, Westphalen, Prussia, and came to this country in November 1865, settling near this city. She has resided here since. When about 20 years of age she married William Bollmann. They had eleven children, seven of whom are living. They are Ernst Bollmann and Rika Stolte, of this city, Sophia Kattker of Cincinnati, Ohio, William Bollmann and Lizzie Kettlekamp of Nokomis, and Henry and Herman, of this city. She leaves 40 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn her demise. *************************************************
BONNING, EDNA (nee SMITH)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 29, 1920 Mrs. Edna Smith Bonning of Appledale, Washington, died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Smith of the Bethalto road, yesterday afternoon at 2:30. Mrs. Bonning came here two days before Christmas for the first visit home since her marriage four years ago. She was suddenly taken ill about a week ago, and it is understood that the cause of her death was a complication of troubles resulting from influenza. She was 28 years old and had lived in East Alton until the time of her marriage to William Bonning. She was a graduate of the Alton High school, and was a teacher for two years in the Kennedy school, one year in the Godfrey school, and then went to Appledale, Washington to teach. While there she met Bonning. Mrs. Bonning is survived by her husband, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Smith, two brothers, George and Charles of East Alton, and one sister, Mrs. William Groves of Wood River. The couple had no children. Mrs.Bonning's parents and grandparents have always lived in East Alton, her grandfather being one of the early settlers. Her death comes as a severe shock to relatives and friends. Her husband has been sent for, and will arrive some time Sunday. No funeral arrangements will be made until he gets here. ***********************************************
BONNING, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 9, 1920 Dies One Week After Arriving in Alton for Wife's Funeral William Bonning, 30, of Appledale, Washington, died last night at St. Joseph's hospital, following an illness with double pneumonia. He died just one week after arriving in Alton and ten days after his wife, Mrs. Edna Smith Bonning. Mrs. Bonning, formerly Miss Edna Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Smith of the Bethalto road, went to Appledale four years ago to teach school. There she met Mr. Bonning. Mrs. Bonning returned here two days before Christmas for her first visit home since her marriage. She became ill a few weeks ago and died on Wednesday, January 28. Her death was the result of an attack of influenza. While Mrs. Bonning was taken ill, her husband was told of her illness by wire and he immediately began the trip here. Mrs. Bonning died while her husband was enroute to Alton. During the trip he became ill with influenza and shortly after coming to Alton was removed to St. Joseph's hospital. He arrived in Alton Sunday, February 1, just a week before his death. When Mr. Bonning came to Alton it was the first time he had seen the parents of his wife. He was the owner of a ranch in Washington and was said to be wealthy. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bonning, a brother, Charles and two sisters, Miss Ethel Blonning and Mrs. Victor Ross, all of Appledale. The parents of Mr. Bonning have been notified of his death. No arrangements for the funeral or shipment of the remains will be made until the parents have been heard from. Mr. and Mrs. Bonning had been married four years. They had no children. ************************************************
BOONE, MARY A. "POLLY"/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Saturday February 11, 1893 Edwardsville Democrat - We learn that the Mary A. Boone, colored, who died in Alton recently, over one hundred years old, and to whose last will and testament reference was made in the last issue of the Democrat, was in the early 30's a resident of Edwardsville. She was then the wife of James Crow, who was familiarly known by the sobriquet "Jim Crow." They resided in a one-room log house which at that date stood where the long brick house stands now occupied by Edward Dippold and family, in lower town. After the death of Crow, she married Boone, also a negro, of Alton, and it was he and not she, that was brought to the northwest country by Daniel Boone. There are probably not more than two persons here about at present, cognizant of the foregoing facts, Mrs. Jane Buckmaster of Alton, and Mrs. S. J. Torrence, of this city. **********************************************
BOSTWICK, JOHN/Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 20, 1855 Another of our old citizens, John Bostwick, Esq., died in Chicago on Wednesday last. Mr. Bostwick has at times occupied a prominent place in this part of the country for many years, having been a bold operator in real estate, his fortune at times greatly varying. We understand he had lately been successful in laying the foundation of a handsome fortune in Chicago. His funeral will take place today from his residence. **********************************************
BOSTWICK, JOHN H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 24, 1923 Veteran of Civil War John H. Bostwick died yesterday morning at St. Joseph's hospital, aged 82. He had been sick a long time and for several months had been in St. Joseph's hospital for treatment. He had been living in his old home up to that time, because he preferred to stay there in the surroundings he had known so many years. He was known generally as "Uncle John," and he was held in the warmest affection of hundreds of people, few of them anywhere near his age. He had the faculty of making friends among the younger folks, and he was a charming personality who for years was a well known figure in Alton, where he was born and where he had spent all of his life. Perhaps the longest time he was away from Alton was during the Civil War when he served in the 10th Illinois Regiment throughout the war. Most people will remember him best as a clerk in various dry goods stores in the Third street business district. For many years he was engaged at the Haagen store. He was devoted to his mother, one of Alton's old time residents, who came here with her parents in 1829, and who lived here until she died, far along in the nineties, a number of years ago. Mr. Bostwick devoted his life to his aged mother, and the two lived together until her death. He was prominent in Masonic bodies and was one of the most faithful in his attendance upon Masonic affairs. When he was so old and feeble that he should not have been out, his presence was marked at times when bad weather, deterred those younger and stronger from being present. Mr. Bostwick was born on the property now embraced in the Western Military Academy holdings. He never married. He leaves the following nieces and nephews: Dr. L. L. Yerkes, Mrs. Blanche Yerkes Thomas of Little Rock, Ark., Mrs. Bessie Spalding of Chicago, Dr. John Spalding and Robert Spalding of California. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Yerkes home, 1520 Washington avenue. The Masonic fraternity will have charge of the funeral, the services to be conducted under the auspices of Franklin lodge. Mr. Bostwick was a member of Belvidere commandery, also of the Scottish Rite bodies and of the Mystic Shrine. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. *************************************************
BOTT, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 27, 1921 Mrs. Mary Bott, aged 68, was found dying in bed about 3:30 o'clock this morning by her aged husband, George Bott, who was waiting on her. Mr. Bott had been sitting up talking to his wife just a few minutes before, and he became alarmed at her sudden silence. He investigated and found that she was apparently in a state of collapse, possibly from heart trouble. A doctor was called and he found her dead. Mrs. Bott had been in her usual health when last Thursday she slipped and fell on the ice, sustaining injuries which caused her considerable trouble, but did not forbid her being around her home. She had been up and about her home Christmas day, and yesterday, and there was no cause for any alarm over her condition. Her death was a great surprise to everybody. Mrs. Bott moved to Alton about three years ago from Brighton, where the couple had lived many years. The family were living at 84 East Elm street at the time Mrs. Bott died. Beside her husband, she leaves five children: Oliver Bott and Mrs. James Barnard and Walter Bott of Brighton; Paull Bott of Bunker Hill; Mrs. Thomas Bushnell of Logan Street in Alton; and Mrs. George Grabe of Brighton. There had been a family gathering on Christmas day and the children had gone home Sunday after having had a fine time with their parents. Mrs. Bott had entered into the spirit of the Christmas holiday with eagerness. Every child in the neighborhood had been remembered with gifts of some kind by the kindly dispositioned old lady in whose heart Christmas was an all the year round reality instead of once a year holiday. She leaves a large circle of loving friends who mourn her death and sympathize sincerely with her aged husband who is deprived by death of his partner in life. The funeral will be held Thursday in Brighton at the Evangelical Church, interment will be in the Bott Cemetery. The funeral party will leave Alton at ten o'clock Thursday morning. ****************************************************
BOWEN, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 21, 1921 Civil War Veteran Succumbs .... Former Drummer Boy Henry Bowen, aged 78 years, died Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock at the family home on the Grafton Road, after an illness of two weeks, suffering from complication of disabilities. Mr. Bowen was a veteran of the Civil War. At the age of fourteen years, he entered the service as drummer boy, later enlisting in the army. He received injuries to his left leg while in service, and has always had trouble with it at intervals. The deceased is survived by his widow and three sons: George Bowen of Melville, Harry Bowen of Jersey County, and Frank Bowen who resided with his father on the Grafton Road. Funeral arrangements have not been made as yet. ****************************************************
BOWMAN, EDWARD M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 31, 1926 "The Most Useful Man in Alton" Edward M. Bowman died yesterday in a hospital at Boston, Mass., following an operation for the relief of a malady that had been causing him trouble for a long time. His death was expected as word that was being received from his bedside was of a disquieting nature. The body of Mr. Bowman will be brought to Alton for burial in City Cemetery, a place in which he had taken deep interest. The funeral will be Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, services to be held at the home of William M. Duncan on Twelfth Street. The burial service in City Cemetery will be private. It was Mr. Bowman's wish that there be no flowers at his funeral. The passing of Mr. Bowman takes away one of the most useful men Alton ever had in it. It is recalled by a newspaper friend of his who realized how useful Mr. Bowman was being to his native city, that Mr. Bowman always insisted on being kept free from any newspaper prominence. He had a somewhat cynical view, perhaps borne of observation, that if a man wished to be useful, and continue so, it was necessary that he should not appear to be useful. He thought that immediately when there was any notice taken of a man's prominence envy would be aroused and criticism would weaken his usefulness. Acting on that professed belief, Mr. Bowman went on working quietly, tirelessly, for his home city and institutions that were in it and not until he left Alton was he satisfied with any words of praise for what he had done for his home. When he left he took with him the expressions of hundreds who knew that he had been a useful man for Alton. In connection with his public enterprises here it may be said that he laid the foundations for the present financial solidity of the City cemetery. He gathered the names and addresses of survivors of old families owning lots there and but for his ceaseless correspondence and patient search information could not have been available for carrying on the after work of establishing the cemetery's finances for years to come. He was deeply interested in the Hayner library and it is recalled that before he left Alton he gave to that institution a great collection of books on Abraham Lincoln he had made in his long career as a student and collector of Lincolnia. The list of institutions and organizations and public works Mr. Bowman supported would be a long one. It may be said that he always was ready to start a subscription list to help solve financial problems. When a gathering of men or women would be planning to do something, Mr. Bowman would patiently listen to the talk of what was to be done, then he would ask the all important question, "how are you going to pay for it?" That always prefaced a little lecture of the subject of getting the money first and then planning afterward to spend it. Always he would start the fund with a cash gift. It was the same if it was a political meeting, a Grand Army encampment or whatever it might be. He was the father of the good roads movement around here, spending his time, his money and giving the movement the benefit of his intelligence in promotion. He gave the good roads movement a start here when it was dragging slowly. Mr. Bowman was born in Alton, and was a resident here most of his life. He graduated from Washington University and the St. Louis Law school, after which he engaged in the practice of law for a number of years. He lived in the Black Hills in the Dakotas, and served as a county attorney and also as a member of the Legislature while there. He also served as county attorney for Decatur County, Kan. He was married in Alton to Miss Bertha Drummond, Oct. 17, 1893. There are two children, John D. and Edward M. Bowman. Mr. Bowman resided on Euclid avenue for a number of years. He was interested in large realty holding in Alton and vicinity, but in later years had disposed of what he owned here. One of the characteristics of Mr. Bowman was to make ready for all contingencies and it is known by some who had business dealings with him that before his going to the hospital he carefully attended to all business matters so that if the attempt to get relief did not turn out well, and his illness proved fatal, there would be little or nothing to trouble his family in the way of business complications. **********************************************
BOWMAN, HORATIO J. SR./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 19, 1920 Alton Business Man Dies in Jacksonville Sanitarium Horatio J. Bowman Sr. died this morning at 2 o'clock at Jacksonville, following a long illness. Mr. Bowman was 70 years old. With the passing of Mr. Bowman, Alton loses a citizen long known in business circles. Mr. Bowman took over the dry goods business of his father, after the parent had successfully conducted it for more than 50 years. The business was continued by the son until six years ago. Mr. Bowman was born in Alton in July of 1850. He was the son of Horatio B. and Selina R. Bowman. In 1881 he was married to Miss Virginia Job of this city. He was connected in the dry goods business with his father for a number of years, and in 1880 bought the store from the parent. The Bowman family first came to Alton from Wilkes Barre, Pa., and was said to have been one of the first families to use anthracite coal in that region of Pennsylvania. The elder Bowman started in business about 1837, the name of the store being the Bowman, Neas and Johnson Co. The son worked in the store and eventually became its owner. Mr. Bowman has been in failing health for several years. He entered a sanitarium at Jacksonville about two years ago, when his health began to fail. A few days ago news reached here of the seriousness of his condition, and it was said then that recovery seemed impossible. He served on term in the Alton City Council. Mr. Bowman is survived by his widow, Mrs. Virginia Bowman, and two sons, two daughters, and a brother. The sons are: Horatio J. Bowman Jr. of Alton; Fred Bowman who resides on a farm near East Alton; and the daughters are: Mrs. Edward Watson of Patterson, N. J.; and Mrs. Roe D. Watson of this city. The surviving brother is Edward M. Bowman, who now resides in Boston. The funeral will be tomorrow at 3 p.m. from the family home on East Twelfth Street, and will be private. Interment will be in City cemetery. ********************************************
BOWMAN, TILLIE (nee BRUEGGEMANN)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 28, 1920 Wife of Alton Physician Dies Mrs. Tillie Bowman, wife of Dr. L. M. Bowman, died at 11:30 o'clock Thursday night at her home, 1105 East Fifth street, after an illness which began last July, but which developed into an acute stage three weeks ago. Mrs. Bowman had been suffering from kidney trouble and had been steadily losing her power of vision. Almost coincident with her being prostrated in her final illness, her sight failed fast and the last two weeks she was totally blind. Apoplexy caused her death. Mrs. Bowman was born and reared in Alton, and spent her whole life here. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brueggemann, and all of her father's family died before her except one sister, Mrs. Henry Wutzler, who survives. Mrs. Bowman leaves beside her husband and one sister, two children, Louis and Mary Esther Bowman. Mrs. Bowman had been a devoted member of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Evangelical church. She was highly esteemed in the neighborhood where she lived and had a very large circle of acquaintances. It had been known for a week to her family and intimate friends that there was no chance of recovery and that the end would probably be very soon. She had been married fifteen years to Dr. Bowman. She was born in Alton, November 5, 1870, and would have been fifty years of age her next birthday. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home, Rev. O. W. Heggemeier officiating. Burial will be in the City Cemetery. ************************************************
BOWMAN, UNKNOWN WIFE OF SAMUEL F./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 24, 1919 The body of Mrs. Samuel F. Bowman, who died Saturday afternoon at her home near Roxana, was shipped to Mt. Rose, Ill., and the funeral was held from the Catholic church there today. She leaves her husband and two sons, a boy 16, and one three and a half years old. **********************************************
BOREN, MARTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 18, 1921 The funeral of Mrs. Martha Boren will be held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock from the home of her son, J. N. Boren on Bluff Street, with Rev. Twing officiating. The interment will be in the City Cemetery. **********************************************
BOYCE, BRIDGET M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11, 1922 Mrs. Bridget M. Boyce, wife of John Boyce, died at her home, 1306 east Fourth street this morning at 6 o'clock after a long illness. She was 59 years of age. Beside her husband she leaves two sons. The body will be taken to St. Charles, Mo., Friday, for burial. ***********************************************
BOYCE, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 29, 1923 Youth Father Dies Suddenly Beside Wife Death claimed James Boyce of 2436 Seminary street very suddenly this morning. His last act of his life was to hand to his wife a bottle of medicine from which the wife administered a dose to a sick baby who was occupying the same bed with the parents. According to the story told by the family, Mrs. Boyce was roused by a coughing spell of the little child, Nora, aged 4, and she roused her husband to ask him to hand her a bottle of medicine which was on a chair beside the bed. Mr. Boyce complied with his wife's request. The wife administered the dose of medicine to the child and she handed the bottle back to her husband and asked him to replace it on the chair beside the bed. Mr. Boyce again raised his hand to take the bottle from his wife, and Mrs. Boyce noticed that while she touched his hand he did not take the bottle from her. Instead, the hand of her husband dropped to the bed, and when she investigated she found him apparently asleep. She heard her husband make a sound, and she attempted to rouse him, but it was in vain. Mr. Boyce was dead. He was 39 years of age. Mr. Boyce had been a strong, healthy man all of his life. Those who knew him said that he was never sick. He was a steady man, employed at the plant of the Illinois Glass Co. He leaves besides his wife, four children, Hortense, aged 9; Mary Elizabeth who will be 7 tomorrow; John, aged 5 and Nora, aged 4. Mr. Boyce worked all day yesterday and on going home in the evening cut his lawn grass after supper. He seemed in the best of health until about 3 o'clock in the morning when he was suddenly stricken by death. His wife called in the neighbors and they called Dr. Williamson when Mr. Boyce collapsed, but when the doctor arrived he found Mr. Boyce was dead. He was born May 3, 1884 at St. Peters, Mo. The family moved to Alton in 1905. He had been employed at the glass works eighteen years. In later years he has worked as a stopper grinder, after working as a packer for a long time. He married Miss Nora Horn of Upper Alton in May 1913. He had just recently bought a home on Seminary street. He was a good father and husband and his interest was centered in his home. His death is the second one in his family, his mother having died eighteen years ago. He leaves beside his wife and four children, his father, John W. Boyce, proprietor of a shoe repair and novelty shop at 1304 East Broadway, one brother, John C. Boyce of Alton, two sisters, Mrs. Harrison Woods of Alton and Mrs. Bertha Kline of St. Charles, Mo. He was a nephew of Dan Bolan of St. Charles, Mo., and Mrs. T. Delmore of St. Louis. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon, and burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. **************************************************
BOYLE, LEO A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 20, 1923 Leo A. Boyle, proprietor of a soft drinks place and a cigar store, died very unexpectedly this morning at 4 o'clock at his home on Easton street. He was taken sick last night and about 11 o'clock was moved to his home. He continued very bad during the night and at 4 o'clock he died. Boyle had been charged with the sale of illicit whisky in his place of business, the Midget bar, and having been taken into the Federal court several times, the last case against him which he fought before a jury, brought him a penalty of six months in prison. The jury found him guilty and Judge Fitzhenry fixed the punishment at imprisonment instead of a fine. Boyle attempted to get a modification of the sentence by Judge Fitzhenry, claiming in court that he had ceased the sale of liquor, but his statement was countered by affidavits of prohibition officers that between the time the motion of Boyle was filed in court and the day of the hearing liquor had been bought in the Midget bar by prohibition agents. This brought the sentence on Boyle and he took an appeal to the United States court of appeals to avoid going to jail for six months. He has been back home ever since then. In court Boyle told that he was in bad health and could not stand a jail term, and Judge Fitzhenry remarked that they had good doctors to take care of prisoners and that he would be as well there as any place else. It was said today by Dr. D. F. Duggan, who took care of Boyle last night, that Boyle had been suffering from heart trouble for a long time, and that he had been getting worse of late. Worry over his health, Dr. Duggan said, caused the sudden end more so than any worry over the impending prison term which it seemed might come as the result of Judge Fitzhenry's sentence, as it was not regarded possible that the court of appeals would reverse Judge Fitzhenry. Beside his wife, he leaves three children, Morris, Leo and Edmund, also his father, Charles Boyle, one sister, Mrs. Louis Angel, and two brothers, Frank and John Boyle. The funeral will be held Thursday morning at nine o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery. **********************************************
BRACHT, CARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 26, 1923 Carl Bracht, for forty three years a resident of Alton, died last night at 10:30 o'clock at his home, 707 East Seventh street, after an illness that covered a period of eighteen years, with asthma. He was seventy two years of age. For nine years Mr. Bracht had been in such a bad condition he had been unable to do any work, and was almost a constant sufferer from the malady which proved fatal. He was a contractor and a good workman. Most of his time he put in at building sewers and sidewalks and similar work. For many years, when a difficult piece of work needed to be done, Mr. Bracht was the man who would be most sought. His services were in great demand and it was necessary to speak in advance for him, because of his reputation for doing a workmanlike job. He was born in Germany and came to this country when a young man. He was a member of the Harugaris, and also of the Evangelical church. He leaves his wife and seven children, Charles of St. Louis, Mrs. Charles Kidwell of Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. George S. Hailer of Chicago, Louis, William, Enos and Harriet Bracht of Alton. He leaves also twelve grandchildren. *******************************************
BRAUNAGEL, LOUISE (nee EHRET)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 10, 1921 Mrs. Louise Braunagel, aged 60, died this morning at 9:40 o'clock at the family home, 822 East Fourth street, after an illness which began four weeks ago. For the past few days her condition has been serious and her death was not unexpected. She was the wife of Emil F. Braunagel, and the mother of eight children. Her maiden name was Louise Ehret. She was born, raised and married in Alton and was one of its best known residents. She was a member of St. Mary's Church. She leaves three sons, Henry and John of Wichita, Kan., and Louis of this city, and five daughters, the Misses Mayme, Lucie, Josephine and Minnie of this city, and Sister Peter Claver of Porto Rico [sic], a member of the Notre Dame Order. She also leaves two brothers, John and Joseph Ehret of this city, and one sister, Miss Elisabeth Ehret of Evansville, Ill. There also survives four grandchildren. Plans for the funeral are incomplete. The funeral will probably be held Saturday morning from St. Mary's Church. *****************************************
BREGENZER, ELIZABETH (nee METZOTH)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Thursday, March 1, 1923 Mrs. Elizabeth Bregenzer, wife of Jacob Bregenzer, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bertha Heidrichs, of 440 12 East Broadway. Mrs. Bregenzer has been ill for fourteen days, following a stroke of paralysis. Her maiden name was Metzoth. She and her husband were married in the old St. Mary's church 53 years ago. Some time after their marriage the couple left Alton but returned to Alton to take up their residence seventeen years ago. Mrs. Bregenzer is survived by her husband, Jacob, five daughters, Mrs. Margaret Schilling and Mrs. Elizabeth Sprenger of St. Louis, Mrs. Clara Burmester, Mrs. Catherine Corzine and Mrs. Bertha Heidrich of this city, and three sons, J. E. of Alton, J. J. of Delhi, and Edward of Dow. She also leaves twenty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The body has been removed to the Klunk Undertaking Parlors at East Broadway and Alby street, where it can be viewed by friends. The funeral will be held Friday morning from the Undertaking Parlors to St. Mary's church, where Requiem High Mass will be celebrated at 9 o'clock. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. **********************************************
BRENTON, J. D./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 28, 1922 Falls Down Elevator Shaft at Catholic Orphanage J. D. Brenton, an elevator construction workman, was fatally injured this morning by falling down an electric elevator shaft at the Catholic orphanage on State street. He died as he was being taken into St. Joseph's hospital, to which place he was rushed immediately after the accident. Brenton was assisting in installing a passenger elevator at the new orphanage building. A scaffold on which he was working was defective and one of the braces gave away under him. This allowed him to fall from the scaffold and dropped him to the concrete bottom of the elevator shaft. It is supposed that he landed on his head as his injuries seemed to be chiefly about his head. There was no indication of anything having fallen on top of him from the platform on which he had been working. Immediately after the accident, Brenton was picked up and taken to the hospital in an ambulance, but before he was carried into the hospital, he had died. The distance Brenton fell was about 28 feet. The Wimmer Construction Co., having the general contract for the orphanage, did not have the home address of the victim of the accident. He lived in St. Louis and was sent here to install the elevator in the new orphanage. The firm for which he worked was notified of the fatal accident, and through them the effort was to be made to find the relatives of the deceased. *******************************************
BROCK, ALICE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 26, 1920 Julius Brock, colored, shot and killed his wife about 1 o'clock today with a shot gun in their home at Federal, east of Alton. No cause had been found for the killing. The woman received the charge of shot in the neck and arm and side, and died instantly. The husband fled and at last report had not been arrested. Neighbors said that a few minutes before the shooting the couple passed their houses and were apparently friendly enough. Some quarrel must have developed at the home and the husband in mad fury took his gun and killed the woman. The couple had been living at Federal for three years, the man being employed at Federal Lead plant.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 27, 1920 According to the testimony of Ellis Martin and his wife at the coroner's inquest Wednesday morning, Mrs. Alice Brock, a negress, was killed with a shotgun as a result of the fact that a chicken dinner which she had prepared did not please her husband, Jesse Brock, who is being sought by the police for the slaying. The Martins, who also are negroes, testified before Deputy Coroner William Bauer that they had accompanied Brock to his home for dinner Tuesday. The repast, they related, struck them as being quite suitable, but failed to meet with the approval of Brock, who went into a rage and berated his wife. Seeing that a quarrel was imminent, the guests said they went into another room of the house, from which they could hear scuffling and an exchange of hot words. While the quarrel continued, the couple declared they went to the home of a neighbor two doors away, from which they heard the report of the shotgun. When they returned to the Brock home, they found the woman dead, a part of her skull having been blown off by the charge. Brock had fled, but was reported to have been seen near the house later in the evening. Letters written by the slain woman, which had not been mailed, were found in the house, showing that she believed her husband wished to be rid of her and had tried to drive her away from home. A telegram received by Deputy Coroner Bauer from the brother of the victim, Thad Stewart, announced that he is on his way here, having been recently discharged from the Missouri Penitentiary. ****************************************** *******************************************
BROCKMEIER, SOPHIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 25, 1920 Mrs. Sophie Brockmeier, wife of Ernest Brockmeier, died in St. Louis last night at 11:40 o'clock at the home of her son, Henry Brockmeier, of 4505 West Easton avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Brockmeier sold their farm three miles north of Godfrey, the first of the month, and went to St. Louis to reside with their son. Mrs. Brockmeier was in her 82nd year. She is survived by Henry and Fred Brockmeier, Mrs. Lizzie Burger, Mrs. Mary Milner, Mrs. Ida Priesmeyer, and Mrs. Julia O'Connor. The remains will be taken to Godfrey and funeral services will be held from the Bethany church Sunday at two o'clock. Interment will be in Bethany cemetery. *****************************************
BROGLIE, FLORA, MARY, AND ELLA/Source: Utica, New York Observer, August 14, 1911 When a skiff struck a snag in the Mississippi River at Riehl's station, six miles above Alton yesterday, three young women of Upper Alton were drowned. They were Misses Flora, Mary and Ella Broglie, daughters of Joseph Broglie. Telephone advices from Riehl's station say two of the young women were drowned in an effort to save the other sister. When the skiff struck the snag the boat did not upset, but Flora Broglie was thrown into the river. Mary leaned into the water to save her, but she, too, was about to be dragged under by her frantic sister. Ella then leaped into the river to save Mary and all three were drowned. *****************************************
BROOKSCHEN, JOHN/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Wednesday, January 6, 1892 John Brookschen, who has been staying with Frank Lohman on Sand Prairie, Nameoki Township, died Friday [Jan. 1] and was buried Sunday at Collinsville. He was 21 years old. ******************************************
BROWN, ANGELICA (nee KAUFFMAN)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 18, 1920 Former Red Cross Secretary Succumbs to Illness Mrs. Angelica Kauffman Brown, wife of Shelby A. Brown, died Tuesday afternoon about 3 o'clock in a hospital in Galesburg, Ill., where she had undergone two surgical operations. She was attended by her mother, Mrs. T. H. Kauffmann, and an aunt, Mrs. Joseph Silver, at the time of her death. The passing of Mrs. Brown caused much sadness in a large circle of friends and acquaintances of the young woman. She had been married the first day of last December to Shelby A. Brown, to whom she had been engaged since before he answered his country's call to arms. The marriage in the First Methodist church in Alton was a big event in Alton society circles. Miss Kauffmann had been most active in the work of the Red Cross, and when the headquarters of Alton Chapter was opened, she was selected as executive secretary and continued in that capacity until November 1, when her resignation became effective, in anticipation of her marriage. She had been very helpful to many hundreds of returned soldiers after peace was declared and there are many of the boys who came back from war who will always remember kindly the keen interest she took in helping them straighten out tangles that seemed to them almost impossible of solution. She had previously served in the Jennie D. Hayner library, and there too she had shown a marked efficiency in her work, which attracted the attention of the Red Cross directors when they were selecting an executive secretary. Miss Kauffmann was deeply interested in the work of the First Methodist church in which she had held membership from girlhood. She was one of the original members of the Winifred Dague Travel club, a Methodist social organization. She was also a member of the Zeta Beta Psi sorority. Mrs. Brown was taken sick three weeks ago with a malady that was not at first correctly diagnosed. She was operated upon for appendicitis two weeks ago last Saturday, and it was found that it was not what was needed. A second operation to relieve other bad conditions was determined upon and this occurred last Saturday, two weeks after the first one. Her condition was very bad from the very first, and there was most discouraging tiding coming from the bedside of the young woman. Mrs. Brown was born at Lexington, Mo., and when she was a few months old the family moved to Alton. She had made her home here ever since, until she went to Galesburg a few months ago, the bride of Shelby A. Brown, former assistant secretary at the Alton Y. M. C. A. She would have been 28 years of age next Saturday. Beside her mother she leaves one brother, Hugh, and a sister, Miss Helen Kauffmann. The body will be brought back to Alton tomorrow morning. The time of the funeral will be announced after the party arrives here. A telegram from Mrs. Kauffmann this afternoon stated that the funeral of Mrs. Shelby Brown will be held Friday afternoon from the home to the City Cemetery. Mrs. Kauffmann and Mr. Brown will arrive at 6:50 tomorrow morning. *********************************************
BROWN, ANSEL L./Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, October 10, 1930/Submitted by Jane Denny
Simple Service to Mark Burial of A. L.
Brown. Final Plans Completed Today for Oldest White Native Whose
Ancestors Came to County Years Ago. Member of Odd Fellows in 1869.
Paternal Grandfather Located at Alton Before 1800 and Others in
Edwardsville Soon Afterwards.
BROWN, EDWARD SALISBURY/Source: Jane Denny
Born in Upper Alton, Madison County, IL,
Edward Salisbury Brown was the son of Dr. Erastus (c. 1778-1833) and
Brittania (Easton) Starr Brown (1780-1822). His uncle, Rufus Easton,
founded Alton, IL. His mother's first husband was Samuel Starr and
the father of William E. Starr (1803-1843), the future husband of
Elvira Amanda Stephenson (1809-1881), daughter of Colonel Benjamin
(1769-1822) and Lucy (Swearingen) Stephenson (c. 1788-1850) of
Edwardsville, IL. Thus, Edward S. Brown was a brother-in-law of
Elvira Stephenson. The circa 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House
is presently owned by the City of Edwardsville and administered by
the Friends of the Stephenson House. It is open to the public and
serves as a teaching museum:
1850 - July Term - Death of E. S. Brown
--
At a special term of the county court of Madison county, held on the
18th of July, 1850, the following preamble and resolutions were
adopted:
BROWN, JOHN/Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 8, 1857 Lieutenant John Brown fell dead on yesterday, while employed rendering lard at Smith's warehouse in this city. He was subject to apoplectic fits and his sudden death is attributed to this cause. He enlisted in a military Company which went out to the Mexican war from this city, under Captain Baker, and was severely wounded in the battle of Buena Vista, having received a musket ball in the breast. He was the recipient of a pension from the Federal Government. Subsequent to the battle of Buena Vista, he was elected Lieutenant in his Company, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of his predecessor. ****************************************************
BROWN, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 17, 1920 Joseph Brown, 89, was found dead in a house on the farm of Robert Kennedy Jr., near Bethalto, last night. He had been employed in doing odd jobs for farmers in that vicinity and made his home in the house on the Kennedy farm for a number of years. Brown was not married and is not believed to have any relatives. Burial will be in Vaughn cemetery near Bethalto tomorrow morning. ****************************************************
BROWN, LUCY JANE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 9, 1920 Mrs. Lucy Jane Brown died Sunday afternoon at her home on Prospect street after a prolonged illness. Her health has been failing for several months, and death was not unexpected. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Brown. She was born in Carrollton, April 28, 1848, and in 1873 was married to Thomas C. Brown. They moved to Alton 19 years later. Mr. Brown died August of 1916. Mrs. Brown is survived by three children: Mrs. Carlton A. Munger; Gertrude E. Brown; and Paul C. Brown; one brother, John Brown of Nebraska; and three sisters: Mrs. Annie B. Robarts, Mrs. John D. Robarts, and Miss Sarah Brown, all of Greenfield. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon from the home, 422 Prospect street, at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. C. E. Combrink, pastor of the Twelfth street Presbyterian church will have charge of the services. Interment will be in the Brighton cemetery. *************************************************
BROWN, ROBERTA (nee MITCHELL)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 26, 1923 Mrs. Roberta Brown, wife of Joseph M. Brown, died this morning at 7:40 o'clock at her home, 617 Bond street, from paralysis, in her fifty-second year. Mrs. Brown belonged to an old time Alton family. Her maiden name was Mitchell, and her family lived on the coal branch in the North Side in the days when coal mining was a great industry here. The Mitchell family of the "Coal Branch" were among the best known of the families there, and among the most respected. Her father was Robert Mitchell. Her death was quite a surprise though she had been in bad health for several years. She had been able to be up and around her home until three weeks ago, when she was taken down with a malady that was not regarded as being immediately serious, even though she had suffered two slight strokes of paralysis in years gone by. Last night, some time after midnight, she sustained a final stroke of paralysis which proved fatal about seven hours later. Mrs. Brown was married to Joseph M. Brown twenty-five years ago, and on the seventeenth of last April the couple celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. Last evening she was feeling so much better that she was sitting up in bed and was reading her daily newspaper. She seemed to be much improved and the collapse that came after midnight was therefore the greater surprise to the members of her household, who were wholly unprepared for it. Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, Joseph M. Brown, and three sons, Paul, Garrett and Hibbard Brown. She leaves also four brothers, James, Alex and John Mitchell of St. Louis, and R. G. Mitchell of Bloomington. She was a devoted member of the Elm street Presbyterian church and during her residence in the North Side was a faithful attendant at the services there. She leaves a large number of friends in the church and in the neighborhood where she spent so many years of her life, who sincerely mourn her passing. Funeral arrangements had not been made today. [Sept. 28, 1923: Burial was in Oakwood cemetery] ****************************************************
BROWN, WILLIAM T., JUDGE/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, March 4, 1874/Submitted by Jane Denny
Early Monday morning the melancholy news
that judge Wm T. Brown had committed suicide spread like wildfire
through the city. It was astounding in every respect and almost
beyond belief. For a week past the judge had been very much
depressed, and only a few of his most intimate friends were aware of
the cause. The whole trouble arose form his inability to make a
settlement with the county commissioners. Delegations have visited
the county court demanding a statement of the county finances, and
the press has clamored for a detailed accounting. The judge dreaded
exposure and was afraid that he could not raise enough money to make
up the deficiency. When asked what his deficiency way, he stated
that it was about ten thousand dollars, and upon this statement
three of his friends agreed to furnish the money, and visited him at
his residence on Sunday for that purpose. ...That night about 10
o'clock he got up from his bed, unbeknown to his family, and in a
short time returned and told his wife that he had tried to drown
himself but couldn't sink. He was rubbed dry and put to bed again.
He begged his wife to say nothing about it, and this is the reason
why she did not call in the neighbors to watch him. He was very
restless all night, and at six o'clock in the morning he wanted to
go out. His wife told him he could not go out unless she went with
him. He consented to this, but as soon as the back door was open he
ran straight for the well, his wife and step daughter following. The
well in question was the stock well, situated back of the stable,
and is about one hundred yards from the house. He climbed over the
curb and was lowering himself through the opening feet first, when
his wife and daughter grabbed him by the shoulders but he was too
heavy and dropped, leaving part of his shirt in their hands. His
wife screamed for assistance and immediately lowered a rope and told
him to take hold of it. He said, "It is too late, I am determined to
go." His dead body was taken from the well about forty minutes
afterwards. The death of judge Brown has spread a gloom over the
whole city, and there is hardly any one but what feels that his
financial affairs might have been adjusted. He was the acknowledged
leader of the Democratic party and was the most popular man in the
county. His great generosity is what ruined him. He was literally
the poor man's friend. He will be buried today. Peace to his ashes.
BROWNING, SARAH ELIZABETH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 24, 1920 The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Browning was held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Adam C. Miller, where services were conducted by Rev. David Magill. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends at the funeral services. Burial was in City cemetery. *************************************************
BRUEGGEMAN, CRISSIE MARGUERITE [nee SCHRETZ or SCHUETZ]/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 18, 1922 Young Mother Drops Dead As She is Lifted in Bed for First Time The sudden death of Mrs. Charles Brueggeman who died this morning about eight thirty at her home in Fosterburg, caused a deeper cloud of sorrow to settle over the little town of Fosterburg, which has had three other inhabitants claimed by death this week. Ten days ago a little daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brueggeman and the family and friends believed the mother to be in a good condition. Her sudden death this morning came as a great surprise to all who knew her. She had not complained, but had been looking eagerly forward to this day as the one in which she might sit up for a short time. Upon being lifted to a sitting posture, she complained as feeling a little faint and was consequently laid back upon the bed. She died instantly. A physician was called and he pronounced the death due to apoplexy. Mrs. Brueggeman before her marriage last March was Crissie Marguerite Schretz [sic], daughter of George Schutz, and has lived her entire life at Fosterburg. Beside her husband, little daughter, and father, she leaves two brothers and two sisters. Will Schuetz of Brighton, George of California, Mrs. H. K. Sanders of Alton, and Mrs. Theodore Elberg of Fosterburg. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet. Charles Brueggeman is the sexton of the Fosterburg cemetery and the death of his wife right at this time makes it doubly hard for him. **************************************************
BRUMLEVE, BESCHKE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 21, 1919 Funeral of Mrs. W. Brumleve Funeral services for Mrs. Beschke Brumleve, of Fosterburg, which were to have been held Thursday afternoon, were postponed on account of the inclement weather, and were held this morning at 11 o'clock from the family home. Rev. Frederick C. Webber, pastor of the Fosterburg Baptist church officiated, and the burial was in the Fosterburg cemetery. ****************************************************
BRUMMER, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 11, 1923 Victim of Explosion at Western Cartridge Co., East Alton William Brummer, a machinist who lost his life in the blast, was formerly from Bunker Hill. He was a member of a large family there. A few years ago he lost a brother in an accident in a coal mine. Mr. Brummer was 45 years of age. He leaves his wife and one son, the latter aged 16. The family resided on Main Street in East Alton. Nine years ago he took his place at the western Cartridge plant. It is said that he was just entering the room to do some work on some of the machines when the blast occurred, which cost him his life. A brother was working in the same room, Walter Brummer, and was among the first to learn of the fatality to his brother. He was a member of the Wood River Masonic lodge. The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at East Alton, Rev. F. D. Butler officiating. The body will be taken to Bunker Hill for burial Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock. ************************************************
BRUNDLE, HELEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16, 1919 Mrs. Helen Brundle died this afternoon at 314 West Fourth street. She was 89 years old. She died at the home of Leo Wingate, her grandnephew. Miss Theresa Wingate and Mrs. O. Blackburn are nieces. The funeral will be Friday at Edwardsville. *************************************************
BRYANT, ELSIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 14, 1920 Elsie Bryant, daughter of Mrs. Flora Bryant of 625 East Sixth street, died this morning in St. Louis. The body will be brought to Alton for burial. **********************************************
BUCK, CARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 24, 1923 Had reputation for being high grade artist at making turtle soup for outings Carl Buck, a well known glassblower, with a wide acquaintance about the city of Alton and vicinity, died this morning at 9:40 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Walter Heidemann, in Wood River, after a long illness. He did not yield to sickness until two weeks ago last Sunday, when he found it necessary to abandon the struggle to keep on his feet. With the strength of iron which he possessed, he had combated an insidious malady which for a long time had been sapping his strength. He was born in Alton, April 4, 1869, and spent most of his life here. He learned the trade of glassblowing at Alton and worked for the Illinois Glass Co., until that company ceased to use blowers. Then he went to work at Streator, Ill. The past two years he had served as custodian at the Alton post office. He continued that work until some time in November when he found he would not be able to attend to the duties. Last September he moved to Wood River and had made his home there ever since. The death of Carl Buck will be of the greatest interest to the great number of people who knew his skill, really an art, at cookery. He was a member of the old Onion Club, for years, and on their camping expeditions which they would take every summer, Carl Buck was the chef. His ability to make turtle soup was the one great achievement of his career. Those who used to eat his turtle soup always esteemed it as one of the finest of good things to eat. It was a substantial item on any menu. He devoted most of his spare time to seeking turtles and he would park the turtles alive in his cellar and draw on his supply as he would need it. Not long ago he served a turtle soup supper at the Evangelical church brotherhood meeting in which he held membership. It was probably his last time to serve forth that dainty to any gathering as his health broke soon afterward and he became disabled. His last trip for turtles he made in October, to Brighton, and took a long walk. He caught cold on that trip and his decline was rapid after that. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Heidemann. The time of the funeral will be announced tomorrow. ***********************************************
BUCKMASTER, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 28, 1896 Alton Postmaster The citizens of Alton were greatly shocked to hear of the death of Postmaster John Buckmaster, which occurred last night at his home. No. 10 East Third Street, from heart disease. The news of his death was not generally known until this morning, and caused a pall of sorrow to hang over his large circle of acquaintances in Alton. Mr. Buckmaster had been feeling poorly for several weeks, although he has attended to his accustomed duties. Any undue exertion, such as walking up the hills, greatly fatigued him, and he was compelled to stop and regain his breath. Sunday morning he felt worse, and his sister, Miss Julia Buckmaster, tried to prevail on him to remain in bed, but he got up and was around during the day. He retired at 7:30, and shortly after Miss Julia heard his labored breathing, while sitting in the parlor on the lower floor. Rushing upstairs, she found him unconscious. Dr. Taphorn, who happened to be near at hand, was called in and administered injections to regulate the beating of the heart, but it was evident that death was near, and the last breath was drawn at 8:30 o'clock. John Buckmaster was the son of the late Hon. Samuel A. and Mary J. Buckmaster. He was born in Edwardsville, January 8, 1838, and would have been 59 years of age next January. Most of his life has been spent in Alton, and he was known by almost every resident. For fifteen years he has conducted the tobacco business at the present location on Piasa street, and his reputation as an entertainer of crowds and an apt story teller was widely known. Kindly in disposition, generous and genial, outspoken in all his beliefs, he was respected by all with whom he came in contact. Two years ago, because of his popularity, he was agreed upon as the compromise candidate for Postmaster of Alton and was appointed by President Cleveland. During his administration the affairs of the office have been conducted in a capable and efficient manner. Many improvements have been made in the service, and through his efforts the new location for the post office was secured. Mr. Buckmaster took great interest in the improvement, and was very anxious to get into the new quarters. His mother, Mrs. S. A. Buckmaster, two sisters, Miss Julia Buckmaster and Mrs. Kizzie B. Jones, and a brother, S. A. Buckmaster of Heckla, South Dakota, are the surviving members of the family. The time of the funeral has not yet been set, but will probably take place on Wednesday. ******************************************
BUCKMASTER, COL. SAMUEL A./Source: Alton Telegraph, November 21, 1878 Politician and holder of Alton Penitentiary lease Decatur Republican: Col. Samuel A. Buckmaster of Alton, whose death is reported in our news column, was for many years one of the most prominent Democratic politicians in the State. He had been a member of the house for some years, after a long absence from active politics, and was a candidate for the senate at the late election, but was defeated by his Republican opponent, Mr. Parkinson.
Bunker Hill Gazette: Col. Sam. Buckmaster, of Alton, died on Tuesday. He was a life long politician, and his public career was eventful. He was speaker of the lower house of the Illinois legislature in 1863, when it was prorogued by Gov. Yates.
Chicago Tribune: Samuel A. Buckmaster died at his home in Alton, Tuesday, after a brief illness. For a third of a century, Col. Buckmaster's name has been prominently connected with the political history of the State, and always closely identified with that of the Democratic party, of which he was an active member. Casey and Buckmaster were many years lessees of the Illinois Penitentiary. In 1863, Col. Buckmaster was Speaker of the House, and a member in 1877.
The State Register gives this incident, concerning Col. Buckmaster, that occurred in 1861: In the Spring of that year, the rebel element of St. Louis was dominant and aggressive, and proposed to capture the United States arsenal, a short distance below the city. Capt. Lyon, afterwards Brigadier, was in command, but his force was small and entirely unable to resist a determined attack of the rebel troops at Camp Jackson, the leaders of which ardently desired possession of the great stores of material and arms in the arsenal. It was thought impossible to remove the stores, as they would be seized by the rebels as soon as brought outside the walls. Col. Buckmaster formed and executed a plan by which the stores were removed by night from the arsenal, taken by boat to Alton, and thence brought to this city, where they were safe from any attempt by the enemy. Col. Buckmaster always stood by his friends, and the news of his death will no doubt bring to many men the recollection of substantial benefits he has conferred.
Chicago Tribune: Two men have lately died in this State who, while living, had taken an active part in public affairs, and were widely known and esteemed by their friends. One of them was Col. Samuel A. Buckmaster, of Alton, who for nearly forty years had been conspicuous in public affairs, and at times active in its politics. He was at numerous times elected to the Legislature, and at one time was Speaker of the Lower House of the General Assembly. He was also, for many years, lessee and contractor with the late Samuel Casey in building the State Prison at Joliet. Both were men of great popularity, and numbered every acquaintance among their friends. Mr. Buckmaster, though the older of the two, survived Mr. Casey a number of years. He was a clear headed business man, a sagacious politician, a successful leader, strong partisan, and through his active life preserved his kindness of heart, liberality of feeling, and genial, impressive manner, unbroken and unchanged. He was a candidate at the late election for the State Senate in Madison county, but was defeated because of a split in his party. ***************************************************
BUDDE, ALOYSIUS/Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph, August 30, 1921 *************************************************
BUDDE, EMMA (nee RECKER)/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, November 7, 1923 ******************************************************
BUDDE, MICHAEL [MELCHOIR]/Source: Alton
Telegraph, February 13, 1902 *****************************************************
BUDDE, PAUL/Edwardsville Intelligencer,
June 27, 1927/Date of Death: June 19, 1927 *************************************************
BUETTEMEYER, SELMA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 7, 1919 Deputy Coroner Ledly of Edwardsville was engaged today, making an investigation of the death of Miss Selma Buettemeyer, a young Edwardsville woman, who fell dead in a bathroom at her home Sunday. During December Miss Buettemeyer suffered an attack of influenza, but did not have medical attention. Since then she has been ill, and while no physician attended her, her mother procured medicine from a doctor. It was stated today that an autopsy might be necessary to establish cause of death. *************************************************
BULL, ALONZO D. (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, November 30, 1893 Dr. Alonzo D. Bull was stricken suddenly by death Saturday morning [November 25] in his dental rooms at No. 113 West Third street. Without the slightest warning of the approach of the dark angel, he left home this morning at the usual hour. About 9:30 o'clock a.m. the girl who leaves his St. Louis paper called at the office and saw the form of the Doctor lying on the couch. He made no move at her approach and she hastened to notify someone. Mayor Brenholt happened to be passing the office and heard the girl's story. He hastened upstairs and found the Doctor lying on a couch with his hands folded on his breast. Efforts to arouse him proved unavailing. Dr. Davis was immediately summoned, but could do nothing, as death had occurred sometime before. Evidences showed that in attempting to make the fire he was taken sick and had vomited. He then went to the back room to the water basin where he again vomited. He then laid down on the sofa where he expired. Alonzo D. Bull was born in Oberlin, Ohio, October 20, 1821. He came to Alton in 1878 from Carrollton and has been engaged in dentistry ever since. He resided in Alton a short time prior to locating in Carrollton. He was a gentleman of many sterling qualities and one of Alton's most respected citizens. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his sudden demise: Misses Lou and Minnie Bull, Mrs. F. J. Rue, Mrs. H. E. Hart, Dr. H. B. Bull of Fairfield, and Dr. H. D. Bull of Jerseyville.
Inquest: Coroner Kinder was summoned to hold an inquest over the remains of Dr. A. D. Bull today. The jury consisted of Henry Brueggeman, foreman; E. C. Taylor, Joseph Crowe, Henry Weaver, George T. Bailey and Fred Schielle. The verdict was that deceased came to his death from an attack of neuralgia of the heart at 9:15 o'clock Saturday morning. The funeral of Dr. A. D. Bull took place at 2 o'clock p.m., Tuesday, from the family residence on Market street. A large assemblage of friends gathered to pay their last tributes of respect. The Masons, of whom deceased was a member, turned out in a body. Rev. L. A. Abbott conducted the services in an impressive manner at the home. The funeral cortege then took up the march to the City Cemetery, where the last services were conducted by the Masons, and the remains were interred. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. A. Brunner, J. W. Ash, James Brown, F. W. Brueggeman, George Gray, W. B. Pierce. ******************************************************
BUND, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 17, 1922 Joseph Bund, former glassblower, at one time connected with the city police department, died at St. Joseph's Hospital yesterday after an illness of four weeks from kidney trouble. He was born December 20, 1849, and was in his seventy-fourth year. Mr. Bund was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital three weeks ago, a week after he had become seriously ill. Up to the time of his illness four weeks ago, he had been in perfect health, considering his age, and had been up and around and came down town occasionally. Mr. Bund came to Alton in 1880. He was a glassblower by trade and came her to take a place in the glassworks at Alton. He continued to work at his trade here all the time until the use of blowers was discontinued there. After that, he took a place on the police force under Mayor Faulstich and during all of his administration, remained at that post. His duties confined him to the office, chiefly, and there he displayed the unfailing courtesy and kindness which characterized all his dealings with men. He was a man of a gentle disposition, kindly and always considerate of the feelings of others. Even when the worst of humanity would pass through his hands, Mr. Bund never changed his demeanor, and used them with the same humanity as he was accustomed to show others of a higher order on the social scale. In the neighborhood where Joe Bund lived, he was easily the most popular man, and there has been a great number of people in that part of the city who have been watching with deep interest his fight with disease, which, they felt could have but one end, and that was the one that did come. Mr. Bund leaves his wife, two sons, Joseph Jr. and William, and five daughters, Mrs. James Moran, Mrs. James Dunn, Misses Sadie, Alice and Nellie Bund. He leaves also three grandchildren. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Patrick's Church. *****************************************************
BUNTON, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 24, 1920 An old man, reduced to peddling safety pins as a means of eking out a living, came to the end of the road this noon in front of the Kinloch telephone exchange. The old man who carried mail indicating that he was James Bunton of Franklin, Ill., was a typical specimen of the wrecks of humanity that remain derelicts, exciting pity of those who see them. The white haired old man evidently had little enough reason for living, and this noon as he was plying his trade, seeking to sell safety pins, he dropped from a paralytic stroke. Some operators leaving the Konloch exchange at noon noticed the plight of the man and they caught him as he started to fall. They propped him against a step until more help could be procured, and finally they summoned surgical help and the old man was taken to St. Joseph's hospital to remain until the end should come. When put to bed at the hospital, it was found that he had five shirts on his person and a great superfluity of clothing in general. He had no overcoat, however. His appearance indicated an advanced age, and police officers who looked at him said they thought he was an "old rounder," who was about down and out. **************************************************
BURGESS, THOMAS W./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 22, 1919 Retired Grocer Dies Thomas W. Burgess, retired business man, died at his home on Twelfth street, Friday evening at 7:40 o'clock, after a long illness from weakness of old age. Mr. Burgess had been in a precarious condition of health for many months. He was born September 22, 1843 at Lisbon, Md., and he spent his young manhood days there. He was twice married, first in 1869, and by that marriage he leaves two daughters, Mrs. John Wheatley of Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. Emma Sullivan of Baltimore. He was married a second time at Alton, November 15, 1877, to Miss Sallie Dimmock of Alton, who survives him. By that marriage he leaves three children, Miss Marie Burgess, Mrs. c. W. Davis of Peoria, and Charles Burgess of Alton. He leaves also two sisters, Mrs. James Jones of Libertytown, Md., and Mrs. Gaither Henderson of Lisbon, Md. Mr. Burgess had been in declining health for five years. He became very much worse about two weeks ago, and his death was expected at any time. He was a well known Alton man. For years he conducted a grocery store at Sixth and Alby streets. He was a prominent member and for years an officer of the Congregational church at Alton. He was a man of high character and was esteemed by all who knew him as a man of the firmest integrity and strictest conceptions of honor. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the family home, and interment will be in City cemetery. *************************************************
BURHAM, JANE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 20, 1921 Born a Slave in Virginia, Woman Came to Alton After Emancipation ... Dies At 111 Years of Age Jane Burham, an aged negro woman whose family claim she had passed her century mark by eleven years, died this morning from old age at her home, 105 West Ninth Street. It was said that she was born in 1810, a slave on a plantation in Virginia, afterward West Virginia. She leaves two daughters, one of them 89 years of age and the other 82. The deceased lived with the 82 year old daughter, Martha Jackson, and the other daughter, Betty Hall, lives at Bloomington. The two daughters appear to be very old. Members of the family say that there were five generations living in the family, and that the death of this aged woman leaves only four. The Telegraph's authority for the age of the woman said that she frequently referred to having seen "the stars fall," an event that happened back early in the thirties, when there was a remarkable display of "shooting stars," and many an aged negro, whose age was not kept accurately and whose knowledge of figures were insufficient to enable them to keep a close track of their ages, give a clue as to how old they are. Those who knew the deceased testify that she had the appearance of great age and many of them readily credit the claim that she had passed the century mark. She came here after she was freed from slavery. All her years as a slave she had lived on one place, the property of one family. ***************************************************
BURKE, BRIDGET/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Friday, February 12, 1897 Mrs. Bridget Burke, wife of James Burke, for nearly a half century a resident of Edwardsville, died Wednesday afternoon [Feb. 10] at half-past three o'clock, the result of heart failure. She was nearing her 75th year. For nearly a year she has been in failing health, and during the past several months at times complained of pain in the region of her heart. Nothing of a serious nature had been considered. Tuesday morning her husband noticed her sitting in an arm chair as if sleeping, but breathing unusually hard. Efforts to arouse her were unavailing and neighbors were called in and medical aid summoned. She remained in a semi-unconscious condition until death relieved her. Death came unexpectedly and as a surprise to her numerous friends. The funeral took place from the family residence to St. Mary's church this morning at ten o'clock. Services were conducted by Rev. Fr. C. A. O'Reilly. The body was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers were: James Kairns, Thomas Kane, M. Grainey, James McNeilly, Patrick Manion and Thomas Knisel. Bridget Burke was born in county Mayo, Ireland, and came to America and direct to Edwardsville in 1849. Shortly afterward, she married James McNeilly, who died several years later. In August, 1855, she was united in marriage to James Burke. This union was blessed with one child, Mary Jane, wife of S. J. Stubbs, who with her father survives. Mrs. Winifred Lyons, a sister, resides in St. Louis. Mrs. Burke was a typical representative of the hardy and industrious people from whom she descended. She was a Christian in all that the word implies, a dutiful wife and mother and beloved by all who knew her. *****************************************************
BURRIS, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 31, 1923 The double funeral of Charles Pickering and Charles Burris, two neighbors and friends, who were killed in a crossing accident by a C. & A. train last week, was held yesterday afternoon from the College Avenue Baptist church, Rev. D. T. Magill officiating. There was a very large attendance. Interment of both was in Oakwood cemetery. ****************************************
BURRIS, CHARLES HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 11, 1922 Charles Henry Burris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burris of 428 Myrtle street, Upper Alton, died Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's Hospital, following an operation which he underwent Saturday for the relief of appendicitis. He was taken ill on Wednesday. He was born in Alton on January 27, 1901. The young man was employed as furnace helper at the Laclede Steel Company. He is survived by his parents, one brother, Seth, and six sisters, Ethel, Clara, Helen, Blanche, Irene and May. He was a very well liked young man and possessed a host of friends, who will be grieved to learn of his death. The funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 o'clock from the home on Myrtle street, and burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. D. G. Magill, pastor of the Upper Alton Baptist Church, will officiate. **************************************************
BUTTS, HELEN MAR/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 10, 1922 Mrs. Helen Mar Butts, aged 73 years, wife of Frederick Butts, died last night at 10:50 o'clock at the family home at 412 Chamberlain street, after a prolonged illness, suffering from bronchial trouble. She had been in poor health for the past year, but was able to be up until Christmas, at which time she was confined to her bed where she remained until she died. Had she lived until February 8, she would have celebrated her seventy-fourth birthday anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Butts resided in Litchfield until eight years ago when they moved to Alton to make their home. The deceased is survived by her aged husband, Frederick Butts Sr., three daughters, Mrs. Albert Fanning, Mrs. Alice Rowe, Mrs. Peter Fuchs, one son, Richard Butts, all of Alton; three brothers, Albert Gilpin of Litchfield, Ill., John Gilpin of Leo Summit, Ill., and Polk Gilpin of Neoga, Ill., and nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Peter Fuchs. Interment in the City Cemetery.
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