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Obituaries

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Those names in bold, red lettering were well-known or of importance in Madison County.

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SURNAME E

EASTER, HERBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 23, 1923

Herbert, the 3 year old child of Mr. and Mrs. Newton Easter, of Hartford, died this morning at 8:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's Hospital from the effects of burns sustained by a vessel of scalding water being overturned on him from a stove. The child was burned yesterday afternoon in the family home, while the mother was at work in the house. Immediately the boy was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and given treatment. The surgeons found that he was burned almost all over the body and they could hold out no encouragement to the parents that the child would recover. Deputy Coroner Streeper will hold an inquest over the body of the boy. The funeral will be held tomorrow noon and burial will be in the Wood River cemetery.

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EASUM, C. H./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 3, 1922

C. H. Easum, traffic manager for the Mississippi Lime and Material Co., died this noon at St. Joseph's Hospital, aged 42. He was taken to the hospital a week ago and last Saturday underwent a surgical operation for the relief of what appeared to be a tumor. The surgeons found on operating that they had to deal with a fast growing cancer of the most malignant type. He was not in an alarming condition until yesterday, when he took a turn for the worse and this morning he had become so bad that there was no hope of his surviving until his relatives could get here from Louisville, Ky. Mr. Easum came here four years ago to take a position with the Mississippi company. He had established himself securely in the confidence of his employers. He had also surrounded himself with a large number of good friends in Alton. He was popular in the Rock Spring Country Club circles. Among the men with whom he mingled in every day life he was highly esteemed and the news of his death was a sad shock to them. His old home was at Louisville, Ky. He leaves a mother, a brother and three sisters. They had been communicated with by wire at the time that Mr. Easum was taken worse. It is expected that the body will be taken back to Louisville for burial. The fatal outcome of the illness of Mr. Easum was a great surprise. He had said little of his malady and in fact thought it of little consequence. He was advised to have it operated upon, and the operation was not regarded as being of a grave character, and it was supposed that he would be out in a short time. The condition that was uncovered by the surgeon's knife was not what it was expected would be found.

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EAVES, WILLIAM T./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 5, 1923

William T. Eaves, for many years a resident of Alton, died this morning at his home, 500 Lampert street, after an illness of fifteen days with typhoid fever. Mr. Eaves has a wide acquaintance in Alton and a large number of friends. He was formerly a railroad man but had not worked at that for a long time. He was not a man of robust health, but he stoutly continued to work up to the time of his last illness. He will be remembered as one of the men who so capably served as watchman at the Milton bridge while traffic was going over the temporary structure during the building of the new bridge. He was a kindly courteous man and he made many new friends among auto drivers who had occasion to accept his services as he was on the job of watchman. He was 65 years of age. It was ill health that forced him to give up the position of watchman and typhoid fever developed and proved fatal. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Alice Eaves, and two children, Frank Eaves and Mrs. Gertrude Demuth. He was a member of the Cherry street Baptist church. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

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EBBERT, MARTHA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 10, 1919

Mrs. Martha Ebbert, aged 88, died last night at 6:30 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Lippoldt at 816 Douglas avenue. Besides her daughter, Mrs. George Lippoldt, Mrs. Ebbert is survived by one son, John, of Godfrey.

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EBBLER, AMELIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 18, 1921

Mrs. Amelia Ebbler, wife of Henry Ebbler, well known Godfrey township farmer, died at 1:30 o'clock this morning in the family home in the northern part of Godfrey township. Her death was the close of many years of helplessness and sadness. About ten years ago she began to show symptoms of complete paralysis. She continued able to walk about for a while, but about six years ago she became a helpless invalid and was able to move about only in a chair. Much of the time she was bedfast. About two weeks ago she became a victim of erysipelas, which proved fatal. Mrs. Ebbler was born in Godfrey township, October 27, 1861. She was the daughter of John Ulrich, an aged resident of Godfrey who survives his daughter. She was married forty years ago, the fifth of this month. Besides her husband, Supervisor Henry Ebbler of Godfrey, Mrs. Ebbler leaves two children, Frank and Paul. One year ago her daughter, Etta, a fine specimen of young womanhood, was stricken with influenza and quickly died. She had been her mother's constant attendant and her housekeeper in the home, and the death of the daughter was a sad increase in the burdens the helpless mother was forced to bear. Beside her husband and two sons, Mrs. Ebbler leaves her father, John Ulrich; three sisters, Mrs. Samuel Lindley of Godfrey, Mrs. George Lindley of Medford, Oregon, Mrs. Dean Cochran of British Columbia; and two brothers, George Ulrich of Klumath Falls, Oregon and Otto Ulrich of Godfrey. During her long period of helplessness, Mrs. Ebbler never abated her bright cheerfulness. She was devoted to her family and they to her and notwithstanding her long period of helplessness, there is genuine sorrow among her family and friends over her passing. She had spent all of her life in Godfrey township and she had a wide acquaintance, though she was best known in her neighborhood for her many acts of kindness and neighborliness, and there are many not connected with her family who hold her in the most affectionate remembrance. The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon from the Bethany cemetery, the funeral party to leave the Ebbler home about one o'clock. Interment will be in Bethany cemetery. The funeral sermon will be preached by Rev. F. H. Brown of the North Side.

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EBBLER, ETTA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 16, 1920

Miss Etta Ebbler, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ebbler, died at the family home in Godfrey township Saturday at midnight from pneumonia. She was 30 years old. Miss Ebbler's death after a week's illness is one of the saddest tragedies of the flu epidemic in Godfrey, where tragic occurrences have been reported before. Miss Ebbler's mother, the wife of Supervisor Henry Ebbler, has been a helpless cripple for years. Unable to care for herself, her only daughter has been her constant assistant, has served as housekeeper and has been everything to Mrs. Ebbler. The mother herself has longed to be released from her bondage to her invalid's chair. Instead it was the robust, strong young daughter, her chief assistant, who was taken. Last Sunday Miss Ebbler was obliged to take to her bed. She had been sick for a few days but had tried to keep on her feet. Pneumonia developed and its work was fast. For several days it was known her condition was very dangerous and there was no surprise when the illness proved fatal. Beside her parents, Miss Ebbler leaves two brothers, Frank and Paul Ebbler. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon, Rev. F. H. Brown officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Cemetery.  [Note:  In this obituary, the name Ebbler was also spelled Ebbeler]

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EBBLER, FRANK/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 23, 1921                  Dies Four Days After His Mother

Frank Ebbler, aged 37, son of Henry Ebbler of Godfrey township, died Sunday night at 10 o'clock. His mother, who died last week, was buried on Friday. The day before his mother's death, Frank, who had been in poor health for many years, began suffering an internal hemorrhage. Surgeons were unable to stop the flow of blood. The day the mother died, serious complications had set in, including a swelling of the tongue and the young man was unable to speak. After his mother's death, the decline of the young man was rapid, and his death was not unexpected. Frank Ebbler was the oldest child of his parents. Though he was a victim of an almost life long physical disability, he was deeply interested in the farm where his parents lived, and he was of much aid around the place, especially since the death of his sister over a year ago, who had been the housekeeper in the home where the mother had been a helpless paralytic for years. He was a bright, cheerful young man, and he had a large circle of friends. He leaves beside his father, one brother, Paul Ebbler. He was a grandson of John Ulrich, well known Godfrey township resident. The death of the mother and the son within a space of five days is a sad blow on the members of the family. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the family home to the Bethany Church, from which his mother was buried last Friday, and interment will be in the Bethany Cemetery.

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EBBER, UNKNOWN WIFE OF FRED EBBLER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 4, 1920             Follows Husband to the Grave

A few days ago Fred Ebbler, a young farmer living on the Alex Crawford farm in Godfrey Township, died from influenze. He was buried yesterday. This morning his wife died from the same disease. The saddest feature of the death of this young couple is that they leave two young children who are orphaned by this dreadful scourge that is causing much alarm and sadness in Godfrey township. The death of Mrs. Fred Ebbler was the cause of a report that Mrs. Henry Ebbler had died. She has been helpless many years and confined to her chair. Relatives this afternoon denied the story that Mrs. Henry Ebbler had died, and said that it was a case of confusing her with Mrs. Fred Ebbler.

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EDEN, BARNEY [BERNARD]/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, October 28, 1921/Submitted by Myra Ann Best 

Prairietown - The funeral of Barney [Bernard] Eden who died at the County Home was held here on Wednesday at the Lutheran Church, Rev. U. Iben officiating. Otto and Barnard Best of Springfield, nephews of Mr. Eden, attended the funeral.
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EDEN, CHRISTOPHER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 5, 1921

Christopher Eden, aged 23, died yesterday evening at 5:45 o'clock at his home, 1036 Union Street, where he had made a losing fight for a year with tuberculosis. The long, brave struggle of the young man with the fatal malady had attracted much attention and everybody who passed the house and saw him lying on the bed on the little sleeping porch on the front of the house took an active interest in his welfare and would drop in to see him and make the time pass more pleasantly. He was taken ill one year ago with grippe, which developed into lung trouble. He was never able to resume his work at the office of the Western Cartridge Co., where he had been a very efficient employee in the office. During his long illness he was given the most devoted attention by his sister, Mrs. Mary Archembault, and by his mother, Mrs. Emma G. Eden, both of whom rendered him service night and day in the hope of being of some benefit to him. The sister even imperiled her own health by her assiduous attention to her brother. He was a member of Piasa Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., and was also a member of Ainad Temple, Mystic Shrine. He leaves besides his mother, three sisters, Mrs. Archembault, Mrs. J. J. Fitzimmons, and Mrs. Joseph Nutt and three brothers, Julius, Henry and Benjamin Eden. During his long illness he bore his affliction with utmost patience. He was deeply grateful for any kindness shown him, and there were many who took an interest in seeing that he saw many happy spots in his long period of illness. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock and will be under Mason auspices. Rev. Heggemeier will conduct the services at the home and burial in the City Cemetery will be under the auspices of Piasa Lodge.

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EDWARDS, CYRUS/Source: Alton Telegraph, September 6, 1877

A vast audience gathered at the Baptist church in Upper Alton, Sunday afternoon, to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the Hon. Cyrus Edwards. The sad occurrence had drawn together the relatives and friends of the deceased, from far and near, while the citizens turned out almost en masse to testify by their presence their sense of loss and sympathy with the afflicted family. Many of the old pioneers of the county, who had been Mr. Edwards' associates in public and private enterprises, in days long past, or his warm adherents in stormy political times, were there also; yet none of these had, "by reason of strength," reached the fourscore years and more which their venerable friend had attained. The pulpit was occupied by Rev. Mr. Morrill, the pastor of the church; Dr. Kendrick, Prof. Leverett, Dr. Bulkley and Dr. Johnson, all of whom participated in the simple and unostentatious services. The addresses made on the occasion were by Mr. Morrill and Dr. Bulkley. The former took for his text the last verse of the 91st Psalm, which had previously been read by Prof. Leverett: "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation." He dwelt mainly upon the religious character of the deceased, and exhibited his life as a practical exemplification of the test. The speaker narrated his last interview with Mr. Edwards and read the letter, detailing his religious experience, which he wrote to the Baptist church, of Upper Alton, when applying for membership in that body four years previous. Mr. Morrill was followed by Dr. Bulkley, who had been acquainted with Mr. Edwards for thirty-five years. He spoke briefly of the distinguished public career of the departed, of his purity of life, of his incorruptibility, of his great public services, of his interest in the cause of education, and his benevolence to the college. He dwelt with special gratitude on the personal kindness he had received from Mr. Edwards, of his genial manners, conversational abilities and intellectual force. In closing, he reverted to Mr. Edwards' religious character and experience, as revealed in personal interviews. The exercises at the church, closed with the singing of the hymn, "I Would Not Live Alway," by the choir. The remains were then borne from the church by the pall bearers, Messrs. John L. Blair, Jos. Gillespie, L. J. Clawson, Levi Davis, H. L. Field, and O. L. Castle. The procession to the cemetery, was, doubtless, the longest ever seen in Upper Alton. At the grave the services were concluded with brief remarks and prayer by Dr. Kendrick. The Misses Quigley, granddaughters of the deceased, then decked the new-made mound with flowers, and placed thereon a beautiful floral anchor. The rites were ended just before the close of day, and the aged statesman's form was left to rest beneath the sod of the State he had served so long and loved so well. The tall forest trees cast lengthened shadows over the grass in that peaceful home of the dead. The splendor of a perfect day was fading in the depths of a cloudless sky. So had his life passed away. Not ended at dawn, or at noonday, or in clouds and storm; but rounded, symmetrical and complete, it drew to its close in the undimmed brightness of full consummation.

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EDWARDS, NELSON G./Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 27, 1852

Death has again struck a shining mark and caused us anew to mourn his ravages. On yesterday [died Aug. 19, 1852] at 10 o'clock, our young, gifted and esteemed fellow citizen, Nelson G. Edwards, was transferred from this world of trouble, sorrow and tears to one of joy and happiness, there to rest forever in the bosom of his God. This sad event, although anticipated for some time past, has cast a gloom over our citizens, seldom witnessed, and exhibits such a hold upon the esteem and affection of our people by the deceased, as is seldom enjoyed, and is alike creditable to his memory, and honorable to the community in which he moved while living. When the aged die - those who have measured their "three score years and ten" - we are apt to consider the debt of nature us justly due; but when we see the young, the good, the talented and generous, thus cut down and torn from their families and friends in the vigor of their youth and usefulness, we start back with affright, and realize that man's last great enemy is no respecter of persons - that the young, as well as the aged, are constantly laid under his dread contribution; and that victory only can be obtained over him by the aid of the great sacrifice made for man. The subject of this notice was the oldest son of the Hon. Cyrus Edwards, of this county, and was born in Kentucky about the year 1820. About the year 1828, his father removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and settled in Edwardsville, where young Edwards attended the best schools which that place then afforded, until about the year 1837, when his father returned to Alton, at which place, or in its immediate neighborhood, he has ever since resided. After removing to Alton, Nelson G. Edwards attended Shurtleff college in Upper Alton for two or three years, and although he left the college before graduating for the purpose of studying law, he several times took the highest honors of his class. After leaving Shurtleff college, he commenced the study of the Law with Messrs. Strong & Hall, attornica, then of this city, and after having studied with great care and assiduity for over a year, he proceeded to the Law School at Lexington, Ky., where he attended two courses of lectures, and on returning home made application for admission to the bar. After a very close and scorching examination, in which he sustained himself with great honor, he received his license and commenced the practice of his profession in the spring of 1842, and continued in its practice until prostrated by sickness a few months ago. Thus has passed from our midst one who justly enjoyed a high position in his profession, for his ability, talents, honorable conduct, and courtesy to his brethren of the bar - one who was the affectionate husband and father, whose loss to his much loved wife and children is irreparable - one who was the stay of a venerable parent in his declining years - and one who was an ornament to society, upright and honorable in all the relations of life. The last moments of Mr. Edwards were calm, and his mind exhibited all the serenity of one who calmly awaited the summons of his Master, fearing not the passage through the grave, but trusting in a glorified resurrection, and in the prospect of being again united with the loved ones he left on earth. He labored while the "day" lasted, and now his "night" has come.

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EHRHARDT, IDA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 4, 1919

Mrs. Ida Ehrhardt, 75 years old, widow of Antone Ehrhardt, died this morning at four o'clock. She has resided in Alton for 51 years. Her husband preceded her to the grave 25 years. She leaves a son, Tony Ehrhardt, and a daughter, Mrs. J. Sieben of Alton; and two brothers, William Keller of Alton and Joseph Keller of Altoona, Pa. She leaves also three grandchildren, Will, Leo and Hilda Sieban. The funeral will be Thursday morning at 8 o'clock from St. Mary's church where requiem mass will be celebrated, and interment will be in St. Joseph's cemetery.

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EILTS, OLTMANN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 21, 1919       Blacksmith Killed by C. & A. Train

The body of Oltmann Eilts, about 65 years old, formerly a blacksmith, was found on the Chicago and Alton tracks at the "cut off" just north of Upper Alton, by a trackwalker of the railroad this morning. It is not known when he was struck. The body was found before nine o'clock this morning, and when Deputy Coroner William H. Bauer arrived on the scene about an hour later, the watch on the dead man's body was still running, so he is thought not to have been dead more than a few hours. Though most of the man's clothing was torn from the lower part of his body, the body was only slightly mangled. One knee cap was broken. The body was dragged about 1300 feet. The body of Eilts was identified by a key ring in a pocket of his clothing which bore his name and address. He lived alone at 2034 Park avenue. He was formerly a blacksmith, and was at one time employed at the Illinois Glass Co. plant, and for a time at the Hapgood Plow Co. factory. He was well known among older residents of the city. Eilts was a native of Germany, where he is said to have a brother and sister still living. He came to America in 1890, since which time he has lived the greater part of the time in Alton. For some time past Eilts has not worked at his trade but has spent his time improving his Park avenue home, where he lived alone. Friends state that he was accustomed to take daily walks into the country, and it is thought that he was returning from one of these trips that he was run down and killed. Deputy Coroner Bauer will hold an inquest this evening.

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ELDER, JUANITA (nee THARP)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 18, 1921

Mrs. Juanita Elder, wife of Asa Elder, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock at the Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis, where she was taken for treatment last Saturday. Since last spring Mrs. Elder has been ill, suffering from gallstones and yellow jaundice. Mrs. Elder, who is 28 years of age, resided with her family at 204 West Ninth Street. Until her marriage a few years ago, Mrs. Elder was Juanita Tharp. She is survived by her husband, two year old daughter, two step-children. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lettie Kramer of Kampsville, and Mrs. Laura Greathouse of South Wood River; besides five brothers, Charles Tharp of South Wood River, Wesley and Lem Tharp of Pleasant Hill, Ill., Oscar and Clifford Tharp of Kampsville. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock, Rev. T. H. Williams officiating. Burial will be in City cemetery.

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ELLINGTON, CLEM E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 3, 1922

Clem E. Ellington, 47, died yesterday at his home, 1508 Central avenue. He had been ailing for six months, but had been confined to his bed only for the past 12 days. He is survived by his widow, Ethel, three daughters, Gladys, Lamaria and Naomi; two sons, Benton and Karl, and his father who is seriously ill at his home in Donnellson, Ill., his mother, four sisters and a brother. He was a member of the Central avenue Lutheran church, and prominently with activities of that church. Funeral services will be conducted at the Central avenue Lutheran church tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Donnellson.

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ELLIOTT, JACOB/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 12, 1923               Native of Fosterburg

Jacob Elliott, 64, died last night at 8 p.m. at the home of Ben Budde, northeast of Upper Alton. Death resulted from a stroke on July 6, following a stroke of several years ago which crippled him. He was a native of the Fosterburg neighborhood, and had made his home with the Budde family for 21 years. He leaves no immediate relatives, but is survived by several nieces and nephews in Bethalto and Alton. He had farmed in the Fosterburg since boyhood. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Budde home, and will be conducted by the Rev. T. N. Marsh of Upper Alton. Interment will be in Short cemetery, Bethalto.

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ELLIS, JEMIMA (nee MONTGOMERY)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 29, 1922

Mrs. Jemima Ellis, widow of H. Ellis, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alfred Boettger, at Moro Saturday afternoon after a long illness. She was in her seventy-first year, and all her life she had been a resident of Madison county. Mrs. Ellis was a member of the Montgomery family, one of the pioneer families of the county. Her father was James Montgomery. She was a member of the Moro Presbyterian church since 1874. In 1878 she married Henry Ellis. Mrs. Ellis leaves two sons, F. E. Ellis of Litchfield and H. M. Ellis of Moro, and one daughter at whose home she died, Mrs. Boetger. She leaves also one brother, James Montgomery of Lodi, Calif., and one sister, Mrs. Alice Smith of Ocoya, Ill. The late William Montgomery of Moro was another brother. The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock and burial was in the Moro cemetery. Four of the pallbearers - W. H. Lanterman, L. J. Wood, L. S. Dorsey and H. E. Dorsey - were elders in the Presbyterian Church. The two others were N. G. Flagg and C. E. Stahl.

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ELLISON, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 11, 1922          Son of Pioneer Founder of Marine Dies

Charles M. Ellison, member of a pioneer family of Marine, died at his home there of arterial trouble at the age of 69 years. He was the father of C. C. Ellison, city comptroller. Mr. Ellison was born in Marine, and except for a few years' residence in Alton, lived there all his life. He was a son of Jacob Ellison, who settled in Marine in 1830. He retired from his farm 6 years ago, and has resided at Marine since. He is survived by his wife, who was Ellen Inez McKee of Edwardsville, and three sons, C. C. of Alton, Dr. Olin Ellison of Chicago, Wilbur of Marine, and a daughter, Mrs. Walter Smith of Alton. The funeral will be from the home at 2 p.m., Wednesday, and interment will be at Marine. Alexander Hamilton Bell, a Carlinville lawyer, who was a classmate of Mr. Ellison, will deliver the funeral address.

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ELSEN, MARZELLA (nee CONWAY)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 15, 1920

Mrs. Marzella Elsen, aged 38, died this morning at 4:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's Hospital where she was taken three weeks ago, following an explosion of a small heating stove. The flames from the exploding stove set fire to Mrs. Elsen's clothes, and before help could be procured the woman was severely burned. For a month before the accident occurred, Mrs. Elsen was in poor health and was not able to be about very much. Mrs. Elsen was born in St. Louis, but has resided in Alton for a long number of years. She was the possessor of a wide circle of friends, her charming personality making her popular among those with whom she came in contact. She will be buried Saturday morning from the home of John Purcell, 1017 East Seventh street, to St. Patricks's church. The funeral was set for Saturday awaiting the arrival of two brothers, Fred Conway of Montreal, Canada, and John Conway of San Diego, Calif. Mrs. Elsen resided at 452 East Broadway, but was at the Purcell home when she was burned. Her maiden name was Marzella Conway. She is survived by two sisters and four brothers: Mrs. Georgia Denker of Indianapolis, Ind.; Frank Conway of Denver, Colo.; Fred Conway of Montreal, Canada; Clarence Conway of St. Louis; John Conway of San Diego, Calif.; and Mrs. Celssie Gray of St. Louis.

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EMERY, CLAUDE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 19, 1922              Child's Clothing Set Afire ... Lad's Clothing Burned Completely From Body

While Mrs. Walter Emery of 107 Missouri Avenue went to a store across the street to get some earache medicine to relieve another little child in the house who was crying with pain, she left her 2 year old son, Claude, in the kitchen, near a stove. She returned to find that in her absence the boy had gotten against the hot stove, had set fire to his clothes, and that the cries of the frenzied child had attracted neighbors, who were doing what they could to save him. The child's clothes were burned from his body, all that remained on him being his shoes. He was burned from head to foot and surgeons summoned said that he would die. The child died shortly after noon from the effects of its burns. There are seven children in the family. Mr. Emery has been out of work for a long time and he was uptown looking for a job, it was said. Efforts were made to find him without avail, for a long time after the accident, so he could be informed of the tragedy in his home. The child was two years old last Monday. The plight of the family is a sad one, owing to the fact that the father is out of work and has been for a long time. Troubles have been hitting them hard and frequently, but they have been trying to get along. It developed this afternoon that the family were without coal, and were burning willows to keep warm. The order had been given to keep warmer the little home where the ten people crowded into a few rooms and so the fire was being stoked up with more willows when popping fragments of the burning wood set fire to the boy's clothes. The Red Cross supplied coal and other requirements of the family and had the boy removed to the hospital. Special Officer Jeffers, who investigated the burning, said that there was an ??? [unreadable] place in the kitchen stove and it was at this place that the child came in contact with fire and set fire to his garments. The only other person in the house was the child suffering from earache, who was upstairs in bed. The mother did not hear the shrieks of the little boy as his clothes burned from his body, but neighbors did and rushed in, not knowing that the two little children were unattended during the time the mother had gone to the store.

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EMMETT, ROBERT/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 1, 1893

Robert Emmett died at the County Poor Farm Thursday [Jan. 26]. He was 34 years of age, and was an educated gentleman, of good manners. He was a bridge carpenter, and during the construction of the Merchants Bridge, on which he was employed, he fell and struck his head on a rock, from the effects of which he has been sadly afflicted since he was admitted to the poor farm in July 1891. He continually walked the streets or about the farm. This exercise was a great relief to him.

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ENGLAND, FRED L./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 18, 1920    Man Shot for Prowler by Friend's Wife

Fred England, a laborer at the gas works of the Alton Gas and Electric Co., was probably fatally wounded with a bullet through the neck, cutting his spinal cord, when Mrs. Beatrice Dearinger, wife of William Dearinger, mistook him for a prowler and fire at him. According to the story told by the wounded man and by his wife and Mrs. Dearinger, the shooting was the work of an excited woman who had been armed to defend herself against prowlers. The wounded man confirmed in every detail the story told by the woman who shot him. The wife of the wounded man, who was a witness of the shooting, also agreed in the stories. The two couples, Mr. and Mrs. W. Dearinger and Mr. and Mrs. Fred England, had come here from Roodhouse, and the husbands had taken jobs in the plant of the Alton Gas and Electric Co. They secured rooms together at 18 East Ninth street, and occupied it as a common home. The husbands worked together at night. Both women were in bad health, and both were very nervous. Sunday night about 9 o'clock, England volunteered to go over to the house, a short distance from the gas works, and see how the women were getting along. It seems that the women had become very nervous about some prowler being about the place a short time before, and both had revolvers for use in case anyone disturbed them. The women were together when Mrs. Dearinger looking down a flight of steps leading up to their rooms, exclaimed, "There he is." They thought that a prowler was standing at the corner. Then the supposed prowler started to climb the steps, and Mrs. Dearinger, in her excitement, fired and the man fell. Then it was discovered that the victim of Mrs. Dearinger's aim was Mrs. England's husband. Dearinger was called over from the gas works, where he was employed as a laborer, and he said that he recognized England with difficulty in the dark where he had fallen. The wounded man was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where surgeons said that the ball had entered the back of the neck and had cut the spinal cord in two, destroying the action of the motor and sensory nerves and leaving England helpless from the neck down. They said that he could not live. Under the circumstances, a statement was sought from England, who was able to talk, and the statement he gave tallied with that given by the two women to the police and to newspaper men. After the discovery was made that England had been shot instead of a prowler, and that he had suffered because of his interest in the welfare of the two women who were very nervous and excitable in their state of health, Mrs. England was overcome. Later Mrs. Dearinger was taken to police headquarters and held there for the night to await developments. Her husband stayed with her in the detention room all night. The wounded man is 23 years of age. Mrs. Dearinger is only 17 years of age. The Dearingers had been married only nine months. Speaking of the shooting this morning, Dearinger said that the two families had been the best of friends, and that when they came here from Roodhouse they had decided to live together, occupying their rooms jointly. He said that England had even tried to get transferred to the same work as Dearinger was doing so the men could be together in their work. He said that England came to him Sunday night and suggested that inasmuch as the women were nervous, he would go over and see if everything was all right, and be back in a few minutes. He said that England must have climbed about three of the steps when the shot was fired. Mrs. England, too, held a revolver in her hand, but did not fire at England. The ....  [unable to obtain the rest of story]

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 19, 1920

Fred L. England, 23 years old, who was shot Sunday night on the doorstep of his home, 8 East Ninth street, by Mrs. Beatrice Dearinger, 17 years old, when mistaken for a prowler by Mrs. Beatrice Dearinger, died at St. Joseph's hospital at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Dearinger, who has been held in the detention room at police headquarters, has not been told of England's death, on account of her delicate state of health, and officials intend to keep her in ignorance of it for a time. A coroner's jury, called by Deputy Coroner Bauer, Tuesday morning, exonerated Mrs. Dearinger for the killing, after Mrs. Pearl England, widow of the slain man, had told the story of the tragedy. William Dearinger and England had been friends for a number of years in Roodhouse, and when both were married about a year ago, they decided to move to Alton. The two couples lived together at the Ninth street address, and the husbands worked together at night in the Alton Gas Plant. Recently, the widow related, the women had become obsessed with the fear of prowlers in the neighborhood, and were constantly in terror of marauders entering their home in the absence of their husbands and doing them harm. They secured revolvers to protect themselves against invaders, she continued, and Sunday night were sitting together in a front room of their home in a very nervous state as a result of their obsession. Both women saw a man cross the railroad tracks nearby and walk toward their house. Mrs. Dearinger was fear-stricken, the widow testified, and screamed, "Here he comes!" and fired her revolver from the window as the man started up the steps. The victim cried out once and fell to the ground. It was then discovered that the wounded man was England, who had come home from work for a few minutes to see that all was well with the women. The bullet had entered the back of his neck, severing the spinal cord, and paralyzing the lower part of his body. In a statement shortly before his death, England freed Mrs. Dearinger of blame for the shooting, saying it must have been a mistake caused by her nervous condition. Dearinger has been with his wife constantly since the shooting, and with the aid of the officials hopes to keep her in ignorance of his friend's death as long as possible, fearing knowledge of it would be disastrous. He intends to take her and Mrs. England to Roodhouse, where they will be among old friends and apprise her of the tragedy after the crisis in her health has been passed. England's body will be taken to Roodhouse for burial.

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ENGLISH, ROBERT B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 9, 1919             Former City Attorney and One Time Member of Legislature Dies at Home

Robert B. English, in his sixty-ninth year, died Tuesday evening at 6:40 o'clock at his home, 709 Langdon street, after a long illness, due to complications and old age. He had been sick since January and last Sunday was taken much worse. A paralytic stroke added to the afflictions of Mr. English. Mr. English was born in Jersey County December 30, 1853. He lived in Calhoun County for a number of years prior to coming to Alton, and there he was elected to the legislature, serving one term. After coming to Alton he served a term as city attorney. He was a graduate of McKendree College and the Louisville (Ky.) law school. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Eleanor English, two sons, Lloyd N. and Paul B. English, and two daughters, Mrs. Eugene Bishop and Miss Marie English. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and services will be at the home, after which the body will be taken to Jerseyville for burial on the family lot. Beside his family in Alton, Mr. English leaves two brothers, Lloyd T. and John E. English, both of Jerseyville. He was a son of J. N. English.

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ENGLISH, SARAH/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, January 25, 1895

Mrs. Sarah English, of Godfrey township, wife of David English, passed peacefully away on Monday afternoon, aged 74 years. She had been quite feeble for sometime. Besides her husband, four children survive her, Mrs. John McKissock, Mrs. David Jenkins, Miss Ann English and George English. The funeral took place this afternoon from the family home to Alton cemetery, services being conducted by Rev. H N Chittenden, of St. Paul's Episcopal church.

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EPPING, HELENA/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, December 22, 1934/Submitted by Sharon Inman

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EPPING, HENRY/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, January 28, 1913/Submitted by Sharon Inman

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EPPING, HENRY JR./Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Tuesday, November 16, 1909/Submitted by Sharon Inman

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