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Obituaries - Surname A
Please submit your obituaries here!
In order to comply with copyright laws, please submit only obituaries published before 1935.
Those names in bold, red lettering were well-known, soldiers, or of importance in Madison County.
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ABBOTT, LEVI A. (REVEREND)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 26, 1919 Rev. Levi A. Abbott, in his ninety-sixth year, entered into his eternal rest this morning at his home, 1608 Henry Street, after an illness of one week. The end came peacefully and members of his family say that while conscious to the last, he did not speak of the approaching change, but that he went out peacefully, quietly, just as he wished it could be. His death was no surprise to his close friends. They had feared that the sickness would prove fatal to the aged gentleman. He had been strong in body and mind for one of so great an age, but it was apparent for some time that he could not survive any serious sickness. His malady was similar to malaria, with fever on alternate days, but his friends thought it was just a wearing out of the old machine that had shown such lasting qualities as to cause all who knew Dr. Abbott to marvel. The funeral will be Sunday afternoon from his late home. Dr. Abbott was a man who had rendered distinguished and lasting service to his fellow-man. For a man who, in boyhood, had very little chance to live because of a predisposition to tuberculosis, Dr. Abbott demonstrated the value of leading an outdoors life. Born at Beverly, Mass., April 19, 1824, he was left an orphan when a baby, and at the age of 14 left school. He became a member of the Baptist Church at the age of 15, and then he went to sea as cabin boy, and in twelve years he served on the sea, he became captain of his vessel. He educated himself, studying chiefly the Bible. He had been desirous of taking up the ministry from boyhood and he finally managed to get one year in the Worcester Academy. During the times he would be home from voyages he would take up the work of teaching and he was prevailed upon to take up the work of teacher in the school he had left at the age of 14. He was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature after entering the ministry, and he was a member of the celebrated War Legislature in Massachusetts. There he was associated with such men as George R. Hoar, Henry Dawes, N. P. Banks, Henry Wilson, and other men who became great in the country's history. Dr. Abbott was ordained at Milford, Mass., in 1855, and was later pastor at Weymouth, Mass., and at Middleboro, Mass. After six and one half years at Middleboro, a trouble in his lungs forced him to leave that climate and he became pastor of the church at Rochester, Minn. With horse, gun, fishing tackle, and general open air work, in four years he got himself into better health. Later he served as pastor at LaCrosse, Wis., for seven years and then was called to the First Baptist Church at Alton, where he served for seventeen and one-half years. Then he served as a trustee, treasurer and comptroller of Shurtleff College for eighteen years. For many years he was a member of the Baptist State Board, and it was he who was entrusted with keeping the records of deaths of other Baptist pastors in the state. One of the most remarkable facts about Dr. Abbott was the perfect preservation of his mental powers and his body. He was a frequent contributor to the Telegraph. He would write poems on patriotic occasions, and his poems at each of his last four or five birthday anniversaries were something for a man of his years to be proud of. He was a deeply religious man, possessed of a temper that made him beloved by all who knew him. It is a fact related by his friends and was admitted by Dr. Abbott, that he probably never uttered a prayer nor preached a sermon omitting some imagery of the sea. He used for his illustrations something about the sea, and he seemed at a loss to find anything that would so well fit into a discourse or a prayer as a figure of speech. He was one of the most ardent supporters of the Telegraph, and held this paper in the highest regard. As an illustration of his feeling for the paper he presented to the Telegraph one day a verse which, he said, he had read eighty years before, when a boy, in a newspaper office in the East. It was given a place of honor in the Telegraph, as he said that he believed it fitted this paper. It runs as follows: "Here shall the press, the people's rights maintain, Unawed by influence, unbribed by gain, And from the Truth our glorious precepts draw, Pledged to Religion, Liberty and Law." Dr. Abbott was one of the most regular visitors at the public library. He read much and he would come down town, even up to a few weeks ago, to get his regular allotment of the latest books. He kept up with every great movement, was conversant on all great questions. Few men are found entertaining, showed so much sprightliness, and such vigor of mind and body as he. Dr. Abbott leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary Abbott, and three children: Augustus L. Abbott, Grace A. Blair, and Mary L. Epps. *****************************
ABLE, NANCY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 15, 1917 Woman Who Lived in Alton 71 Years Dies Mrs. Nancy Able died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Chappee, on Kohler street in the North Side at 8:30 o'clock this morning. Mrs. Able was taken ill four days ago with pneumonia and she continued to grow worse, death coming this morning. Mrs. Able was 71 years of age, and has resided almost all of her life in Alton, and all of her life in this vicinity. She was born in Jersey county and came to Alton when she was a child. She has resided most of this time in the North Side. Besides her daughter, Mrs. Frank Chappee, at whose home she died, she leaves two sons, Percy Able, who resides in this city, and Fred Able in California. The members of the family are now awaiting word from the son in California before making the funeral arrangements. Mrs. Able is one of the old time residents in the North Side, having formerly resided on Myrtle street. She had gone to her daughter's home on Kohler street because she was not well. *****************************
ABRAMS, ALEXANDER H./Source: Troy Star, April 4, 1895 Alexander H. Abrams died suddenly April 1, 1895, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. N. M. Jarvis, of this city, of aneurism of the heart. The funeral took place from the family residence to the Troy depot, when the remains were shipped to the home of Mr. Abram's father at Savannah, Ga., accompanied by Mrs. Jarvis and little son, Roy. The pall bearers were Hill Padon, Fred Riebold, Herbert Donoho, Charles Stahl, John Hall and William Reese. Mr. Abram leaves to mourn his sudden demise, a father, two brothers and five sisters, besides a host of friends. ******************************
ACKERMAN, SARAH ANNIE/Source: Troy Star, September 20, 1894 Sarah Annie Ackerman, aged 20 years, 11 months and 4 days, daughter of Mrs. Mary Baumer, nee Ackerman, died at her home in this city last Friday [September 14], at 9 o'clock a.m. She had been sick five weeks, and her death was a severe blow to her many relatives and friends, who attested their love and respect for her by attending the last sad services at the M. E. church, Sunday afternoon, at 1 o'clock, the sermon being delivered by Rev. N. Sweeney. The church choir rendered several appropriate selections. The pall bearers were Messrs. Charles Mantel, Will Beutel, Gus Dahliege, Joe Hess, Daniel Jones and George Hughes. Sarah Annie Ackerman was born near this city on October 10, 1873, and lived the great portion of her life in this vicinity. She was the youngest daughter in a family of five children, and of late years has been the only help of her mother who is suffering with a facial disease. Miss Ackerman's many loving and generous qualities gained her a host of friends who sincerely mourn her death. Among them is a respected gentleman of this city to whom she was to have been wedded on her 21st birthday - the 10th of next month. She was perfectly conscious up to the hour of her death, and she predicted her death to the very hour several days before her life-light flickered out. The relatives left to mourn her death are her mother, three sisters and one brother, the last four named being married. The Star extends its heart-felt sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends. **********************************
ACKERMAN, UNKNOWN WIFE OF FRED (nee BRANDT)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 11, 1919 Victim of Influenza in Canada Word came to Alton yesterday afternoon from Alberta, Canada, announcing the death of Mrs. Fred Ackerman on March 4th, and the daughter on February 22nd. The cause of the deaths in the Ackerman family is influenza. They left here six years ago last November when the state of Illinois bought the land east of town on which the family resided. The Ackerman family lived for many years on the Col. A. F. Rogers farm. Mrs. Ackerman was a daughter of Henry Brandt, and besides her parents, who live in Upper Alton, she leaves three brothers: Charles and Gotlieb Brandt of Upper Alton; Henry of Bethalto; and two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Boch of Godfrey; and Mrs. Alcide Nicolet of Upper Alton. She also leaves her husband, Fred Ackerman, and two sons, Ernest and George of Canada; four daughters, Mrs. Adam Lohr of Upper Alton; Mrs. Ed Bruenridge of Corey, Mo.; Mrs. Esther Pittman; and Miss Fanny Ackerman of Ranfurly, Alberta, where the Ackerman family lived. The letter bringing the news also told of the death of the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, Mrs. Emma Lumsden of Ranfurly, on February 22. She was 20 years old and leaves her husband and a six months old child. The letter states the flu is raging in all that country. The letter was written to Fred Kohlmiller, who now lives at Canal, down in the bottom. Mr. Kohlmiller hitched up a team and drove to Upper Alton and Bethalto, and informed all the relatives. On account of all the other members of the family being down with the flu, they were unable to inform their relatives there of their condition, and the letter to Fred Kohlmiller was the only word that came. ******************************
ADAMS, EARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24, 1914 Desire To Own Home Causes Mans Death - Ruins Health and Loses Life Over application on the part of Earl Adams, East Alton decorator and contractor, in the building and embellishment of a home in Blinn Addition to East Alton, is believed to have been partly responsible for his death from a heart attack this morning at 7 o'clock. Adams was a good father and a kind husband, and had spent the past year working during his spare hours on a large house he was building in Blinn Addition to East Alton. He worked at the Western Cartridge Works partly at night and partly in the day time, whenever he could get work, and at off times he would put in extra time on the building of his house, most of which he attended to himself.....The house was finished about a week ago so that the family could move into it. It was one of the nicest and most tastily arranged and decorated homes in East Alton...He had eaten breakfast when he felt the attack coming on him. He stepped out into the yard for air. As he did, he fell down in the yard and his screams for help brought members of the family to him. He was taken inside and before a physician was called he was dead. Adams was about 35 years of age. He has been living in East Alton about eight years, coming from Upper Alton. He married Miss Pearl Starkey of Wood River. Two children were born, one of whom died about five years ago. The second child, Ordell, survives. He leaves his wife, one child and his mother. ******************************
ADAMS, ELMORE J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 11, 1914 Elmore J. Adams, in his 62nd year, died Wednesday morning at his home, 435 Foulds avenue, from heart trouble and pneumonia. Mr. Adams had been sick about two weeks and the last few days his condition became manifestly very grave. Members of his family were attending him. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the family home, and the body will be taken to Beloit, Wis., for burial. Masonic funeral services will be conducted. Mr. Adams was a member of Piasa Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he had been a past master of the fraternity. He never lost his interest in the order, and was a frequent attendant at the meetings. He was born in Tecumseh, Mich., and in his early days he became interested in the straw paper making. He began when the industry was in its infancy forty years ago. The last connection he had in a large way with the paper making business was at Peoria, where he put up a very large and expensive mill. Afterward he engaged in the real estate business. When the strawboard plant was started at Alton he came here, and his son. R. E. Adams, was here during the construction period and for some time after the plant was started. Mr. Adams is survived by his wife and five children - Mrs. Myrtle Rowe of Ogontz, Pa.; Mrs. C. Chambers of Portland, Ore.; Robert E. Adams of Marseilles, Ill.; Mrs. Edward Holtzman of Rockford; and Howard Adams of Peoria. ********************************
ADAMS, FLORA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 14, 1922 Mrs. Flora Adams, wife of William Thomas Adams, died at her home, 1129 Green Street last night, about nine o'clock. Death was due to pneumonia. Mrs. Adams was the mother of eight children, the oldest being about twenty years of age and the youngest four. Funeral arrangements have not bee completed as yet. **********************************
ADAMS, LOUISA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 1, 1917 Louisa Adams, an aged colored resident of Alton, died Friday night at her home on Alby street, aged 80. She will be buried from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral Monday at 9 a.m.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 4, 1917 The funeral of Mrs. Louisa Adams, a well known colored woman of great age who lived in Alby street for many years, was held Monday morning from the Cathedral, where services were conducted by Rev. Fr. Costello. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. *********************************
ADAMS, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 27, 1908 "The Master of the Hounds Is Dead" The "master of the hounds" is dead. William Adams of Upper Alton, who always seemed to hold a subtle influence over dogs and who was one of the best dog trainers in Illinois, was found dead in his home in Upper Alton Friday evening by his young friend, Charles Rodemeyer Jr., whom he had sent for. It is believed that the man was dead fully 12 hours when his body was found. He had sent word to his young friend that he wanted to see him, as he was not feeling well, and the young man would have gone Thursday night, but he was fatigued from being out late on an excursion and put off the visit until Friday evening. When he reached Adams door he could not gain a response and he summoned help. The door was broken open and there lay the "master of hounds," dead. The old time hunter and dog trainer had trained his last dog and killed his last bird. In his lifetime he had spent more time hunting than almost anyone else near Alton. He was reputed to be a good shot and it is said he knew where every quail had its nest and where to get the birds when they were in season. Coroner Streeper, when summoned, said that he believed that Adams had died Thursday night and that even if his young friend had gone when sent for he would have found Adams dead. He lived alone. His only daughter is Mrs. Hetty Roloff, whose husband was killed recently in an accident at the Luer Packing Co. plant. "Bill" Adams was one of the best known men in any of the Altons. He was about 55 years old and had lived in the vicinity of Upper Alton almost all his life coming here from Pittsburg, Pa., when a boy. He had been always a great hunter and was widely known as a dog trainer and at one time he had an extensive dogs for St. Louis animal center business in keeping and training dogs for St. Louis business men for which he received good consideration. The dogs would be kept by him all the year around and when the St. Louis men would want to hunt they would come up here and get the dog and "Bill" would take them hunting. He sometimes had forty to fifty fine dogs at his place in Salu. The last time he was seen was Thursday evening. He told his neighbors, James S. Johnson, that he was going to leave early in the morning for the country to thresh. Johnson did not see him all day yesterday and he supposed he had gone to the country. In the evening he was found dead and it is not known at what time he died. **********************************
ADAMS, WILLIAM P./Source: Alton Telegraph, October 9, 1913 William P. Adams, well known in Alton as a transfer man, died at his home, 1501 Belle street, Wednesday morning at 1:35 o'clock after an illness of ten days from apoplexy. Mr. Adams had suffered an attack of heart trouble, which had bothered him periodically, and after rallying from it after a few days illness, he was stricken with apoplexy, ten days before death resulted. He had been very low for a week before his death. Mr. Adams was a large, active man, and a very industrious one. He had been living in Alton about twenty-five years and was known as a good citizen. He was a member of the First Baptist Church for many years. Mr. Adams is survived by his wife and one son, Jesse B. Adams, who was his father's assistant in business. The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock Friday morning from the family home, Rev. M. W. Twing of the First Baptist Church officiating. **********************************
AGEE, J. C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 1, 1921 The funeral of J. C. Agee was held this afternoon from the Wesley Methodist church and was largely attended. Services were conducted by the Rev. Theo. Cates. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Mr. Agee was born in Robinson county, Tenn., on July 16, 1850, and died at the family home, 200 West 13th St., November 30, at 11:17 o'clock. He was past 71 years of age. Agee left Tennessee with his parents when a small boy, coming direct to Illinois where he remained the rest of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, but farmed several years in Morgan county. From Morgan county he moved to Jerseyville in 1898, and ten years ago moved to Alton. He was married to Miss Ella Fanning, Dec. 19, 1898, who survives him. He leaves nine children, four brothers, two sisters, 22 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The daughters are Mrs. H. Alexander, Mrs. C. Langley, Mrs. C. L. Mitchell of Alton; Mrs. Louis Bunse of Godfrey; and Mrs. George Howerton of Shipman. He also leaves his sons, William and Carl of Alton; and Charles of Godfrey. His brothers are Edward and Robert Agee of Granite, Charles Agee of White Hall, and Jacke of Roodhouse. Mrs. Nancy Hunt and Miss Essar Agee of Granite City are sisters. *********************************
AHRENS, HENRIETTA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 19, 1912 Mrs. Henrietta Ahrens, aged 78, died suddenly Sunday morning at her home, 500 East Second street, from paralysis of the heart. She had been in her usual state of good health and was walking out in the yard when she dropped to the ground and when picked up was found to have expired. Mrs. Ahrens had been a resident of Alton for 64 years, coming here from her native land, Germany, when she was but 14 years of age. She married Theodore Ahrens, who for many years conducted a bakery shop in Alton, and was a well known business man. He died nine years ago. Mrs. Ahrens lived with her daughter, Miss Emma Ahrens. She leaves beside Miss Emma, two other daughters, Mrs. John Elble and Mrs. Joseph Maul, of Alton. She was a member of St. Mary's church, and the funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock from that church. Burial in St. Joseph's cemetery will be private. Mrs. Ahrens leaves one great-grandchild, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Woltemade. **********************************
ALBANI, JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 19, 1913 Child Buried In a Strange Land The widow of Samuel Albani has had more than her share of troubles. When she buried her little son, Joseph, this afternoon, she bur[ied him in a] strange land. Some time ago, the day she was sailing for America, her husband was killed by a train in Alton, and an effort was made to get word to her, but she could not be informed until the day she arrived in Alton, joyful in her expectation of being reunited with her husband and the father of her child. The child, as has been told, died from being scalded to death Monday night. *********************************
ALBANO, SAMUEL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28, 1911 Absorbed in Letter, Foreigner Has Both Legs Cut Off by Cars A foreigner, employed on the Big Four railroad, lost both his legs Tuesday morning by being run over by a cut of cars at the foot of Ridge street. He was walking down Ridge street, his attention engrossed in reading a letter he had received from home. He was paying no attention to the approach of some cars which were being pushed along by the levee engine, and was struck and knocked down. The wheels passed over both his legs, one above and one at the knee. The legs were almost completely severed and the men who went to him say that they finished the amputation of some shreds of flesh, seeing that the legs could not be saved. He was taken to the hospital to have his injuries given attention. The man is an Italian, and his name is Samuel Albano. His nerve was perfect. Men who witnessed the accident said that he did not utter an outcry, and even when the legs were off, he sat up and talked to the men around him as though he was not hurt at all. At the hospital he exhibited such nerve as the old Roman gladiators had. This afternoon it was said that he was in a fairly good condition, but the injuries are so bad he will probably die.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 30, 1911 Man Dies After Legs Cut Off by Train Samuel Albano, an Italian whose two legs were cut off at the foot of Ridge street Tuesday morning by the levee engine, died at St. Joseph's hospital Wednesday night. Coroner Streeper took charge of the body, which will probably be buried by friends of the dead man. The wife and children of Albano are in Italy, and were expecting to sail for America April 10. They will be notified of the death of their husband and father, and they will probably not make the trip if the word reaches them in time. There is a possibility that the family may not be found and may make their contemplated start anyhow. *********************************
ALBERS, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 2, 1914 Mrs. Annie Albers, aged 33, wife of George Albers of Bethalto, died at St. Joseph's Hospital Tuesday night from toxemia. Mrs. Albers had been suffering from a malady that surgeons regarded as very unusual, and attending doctors said that they had never seen a case advanced to the stage hers was, in all their experience. She was unable to keep anything on her stomach, and she told her doctors in the hospital that she had not eaten a meal since June 28. In that time she lost fifty pounds in weight, having been a very large woman. All her efforts to retain nourishment were in vain, and her case became so bad that it was decided to move her to Alton and put her in the hospital here for an operation. She was too weak to undergo the operation, and so the surgeons did not perform it. They believed that death from shock would have resulted anyway. She leaves her husband and three children; also four brothers, John, Harm, Frank and Herman Rankin; and one sister, Mrs. Victor Albers. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon. The body will be taken to the family home and from there the cortege will leave at 1 o'clock for the Lutheran church, where the services will be held at 2 o'clock. ***********************************
ALBERS, EARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 29, 1915 Boy Killed by Automobile at Bethalto Earl Albers, aged 9, son of George Albers, was fatally injured this afternoon about 3 o'clock in Bethalto, by the automobile of W. H. Bauer of Alton. Mr. Bauer, with Charles Seibold and Henry Richter, were riding through Bethalto. When passing the school house, a number of the school children ran out into the road and the Albers boy ran in front of the automobile in which the Alton party were riding. The child was knocked down, run over and fatally injured. The boy was picked up and hurried to Moro to a Dr. Thrailkill's office. There the child died in the doctor's office. The reason the trip was made to Moro was that there was no doctor at Bethalto at the time of the accident. *********************************
ALBON, SARAH BROWN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 3, 1913 Mrs. Sarah Brown Albon, in her ninety-fourth year, died Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. O. W. Maxfield, in Godfrey, after a long illness which began a few days after Christmas. Her death had been expected at any time during the last few weeks. Mrs. Albon was a native of Dulwich, England, and was born June 12, 1819, the date of the birth of the late Queen Victoria. She came to America in 1854, and after living in Philadelphia a year, moved to St. Louis, where she lived ten years, coming to Alton in 1865. She lived all the remainder of her life in Alton and Godfrey. [Burial was in City Cemetery.] **********************************
ALDINGER, JOHN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 5, 1917 John Aldinger, in his fifty-ninth year, died Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the family home, 637 east Fourth street, after a long illness. He had been a victim of cancer of the stomach and for nearly seven months he had been unable to be at his work, but was confined to his home. During that time he suffered the greatest agony from the malady. Mr. Aldinger was severely injured by falling through a hatch in the floor of the Winter planing mill. Two weeks later he was laid up and never returned to work. Whether the accident contributed to his death is not known. He was conscious that his end was approaching, and his mind being clear he was able to make all the plans for his approaching death and gave instructions as to the funeral. His mind was clear up to within a few minutes before the end came. Mr. Aldinger was born in Freinsheim, Germany, September 30, 1858. In the year 1881 he came to Alton and lived here the remainder of his life. He was married in 1882 to Miss Emma Ziegenfuss. Eight children were born to the couple: John of Memphis, Tenn.; William, Richard, Albert Victor, Clarence, Julia and Bertha, of Alton. He leaves his wife also. Mr. Aldinger was an expert mechanic and worked as a stair builder for 25 years at the Wheelock & Ginter Mill, and later with the Winter Planing Mill. He was employed at the latter place at the time he became disabled and was forced to give up his work. He was a faithful member of the German Benevolent Society, in which he held the office of corresponding secretary for many years. He was very exact in his work of secretary as he had been in his mechanical work, and he would not be allowed to give up the position by the other members of the society. He was also a member of the Court of Honor. The funeral of Mr. Aldinger will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home, and burial will be in City Cemetery. The funeral will be under the auspices of the German Benevolent Society. ***********************************
ALDINGER, RICHARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 23, 1921 Richard Aldinger, aged 26, died at 5 o'clock Monday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Luly of 408 East Eighth Street where he was removed a few weeks ago when his condition became serious. Aldinger has been ill for the past two months, his sickness commencing with an attack of pneumonia. From the first his condition was grave. A year last June he was married to Miss Ida Toole, who survives him. After their marriage, the young couple boarded for a short time and later took up their residence in the Paul apartments on Henry street. Shortly after Mr. and Mrs. Aldinger went to housekeeping, the young husband was taken ill. Besides his young wife, Aldinger is survived by his mother, Mrs. Amelia Aldinger, of 637 East Fifth Street, and by two sisters, the Misses Bertha and Julia Aldinger, and by five brothers, John of Memphis, William, Al., Victor and Clarence Aldinger, all of Alton. Aldinger was a machinist. He was born and reared in Alton, and a large circle of warm friends who extend sincere sympathy to the young wife and other members of his family. Mrs. Aldinger is the younger daughter of Mrs. Joseph Toole and is a sister of Mrs. W. O. Luly. The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock, Thursday morning from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral. The body will be placed in the mausoleum in the City cemetery. ********************************
ALEXANDER, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 12, 1914 Negro Man Drops Dead Near No. 4 Hose House A negro man dropped dead Tuesday afternoon about 2 o'clock in front of the Central avenue hose house No. 4. The man was walking along the sidewalk when a passerby noticed him stagger and fall. His head hit the pavement and it made a sound that indicated the blow was a severe one. A few minutes later, Dr. J. B. Hastings and J. A. Giberson were passing in an automobile and they had the man carried to the hose house, where the doctor examined him and found that he was dead. Word was sent to the coroner's undertaker, John Berner, to take charge of the body and he proceeded at once to do so. A search of the clothing resulted in papers being found which indicated that the man was Charles Alexander, and that he had been staying at 318 East Sixth street. It was said this afternoon by the coroner's undertaker that nobody identified Alexander up to a late hour. Officer Fahrig said that he had seen the man about the streets peddling medicine. The letters indicated that he was a doctor. ********************************
ALEXANDER, LOUIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 15, 1916 Dies After Being Struck by Delivery Truck - Wild Ride Almost Results in Another Tragedy Twice in one morning a boy was near death. Once he was probably fatally injured in an accident in Upper Alton, and a few minutes later his life, also that of his two doctors, were in danger in an entirely different way, but through zeal of the doctors to get the boy to St. Joseph's Hospital for a surgical operation. Louis Alexander, an 11 year old boy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Alexander of 2200 Seminary street, was fatally hurt Friday morning at 8:30 o'clock on College avenue when he was struck by a light Ford delivery truck. The truck belongs to John R. Cartwright, the College avenue business man, and the vehicle was being driven by his son, George. The bumper of the car struck the boy and he was thrown back against the radiator, inflicting the wound that caused the boy's death at noon. It was a real circus day accident, and was witnessed by a large number of persons. The truck was headed east on College avenue and was running on the south side of the street. On the north side of the street there was a continuous line of country rigs and automobiles headed for the circus in Alton. The accident occurred in front of the W. W. Elwell and C. A. Wildi homes, and there were a number of women in the front yards when the boy was struck. The Ford car was stopped very quickly by the driver, and the boy was picked up. Dr. E. A. Cook happened to pass in his automobile a minute or two after the boy was hurt, and he called in Dr. G. K. Worden, who lives about a block from the point of the accident on College avenue. The boy was unconscious when picked up, and those who witnessed the accident thought he was dead. The physicians gave him medical attention, bound up the wounded head and hurried him to the hospital in Dr. Worden's car. The physicians were of the opinion that the boy was fatally hurt. George Cartwright, the driver of the truck, says he was driving east on College avenue toward the store and that the car was traveling between 8 and 10 miles an hour. He said about five boys were standing on the curbing on the south side of the street watching the country rigs as they passed, and seemed to be trying to spot one that would be good to "hop and ride" on to the circus grounds. When about six feet from the boys, Cartwright says, the Alexander boy suddenly jumped out in front of the Ford truck to run across the street. Cartwright says he had just given the signal with his horn and the other boys looked toward the approaching truck, but it seems the Alexander boy's attention failed to turn from the country rig he was planning to catch. Women standing close by who witnessed the accident verified the story told by the young man who was driving the truck. The father of the boy is a general mechanic who works for the Western Military Academy around the various buildings of the school and the tenement houses owned by Col. Jackson. He was informed of the accident that had befallen his boy a few moments afterward when the boy was on his way to the hospital. A year ago last winter Mr. Alexander was shot in the shoulder by the tenants of one of the Jackson houses when he was sent at night to shut the water off from the house when the tenant was thought to be out of town. When Alexander made an attempt to get in the cellar window about 9:30 o'clock at night, the tenant was aroused and taking a revolver, he fired a bullet through the window at the man. The bullet located in Alexander's should, but he recovered from the wound. It was while speeding to the hospital with the dying boy in the arms of Dr. E. A. Cook of Upper Alton with his neighbor, Dr. G. K. Worden, running the car that the second phase of the dangerous experience of the boy came. Dr. Cook, taking the lad in his arms, seated himself in Dr. Worden's fast Marmon car, and Dr. Worden, driving the car, started off on a fast fun for the hospital. Their course _____ ever College avenue west to Central Avenue, and thence to the hospital. As soon as the car approached Central avenue, Dr. Worden noticed John Gruse standing on the sidewalk and waving frantically to stop. Realizing something serious was the cause of the man's excited gestures, Dr. Worden stopped his car, which Gruse says was going at high speed. Dr. Worden himself said that he was making all the speed he possibly could at the time. Gruse pointed under the car, and Dr. Worden, looking under, discovered the whole underneath part of the car was afire. The rapid forward motion of the car had fanned the flames until the heat generated was almost like that of a blast furnace. In another moment, it is believed, a bad explosion might have resulted from the melting of connections and the releasing of the gasoline in the tank of the car. Dr. Cook got out of the car and lifting the unconscious boy in his arms, he sat nearby until help could be procured. The fire department was summoned and in the meantime Dr. Worden set about trying to extinguish the fire. Using a fire extinguisher he succeeded in quenching the flames before the firemen arrived. Within a few minutes the car of Dr. A. B. Wyckoff was secured and in this the doctors went on their way to the hospital with the dying lad. They arrived safely and afterward performed a surgical operation to life the shattered skull which was pressing down heavily on the brain. It was found that the boy had a long fracture due to his head striking the brick pavement on the side opposite the fracture. It was said that the boy had not a chance to recover. *********************************
ALLEN, ANN ELIZABETH (nee PLATT)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 2, 1923 Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Platt Allen, wife of George R. Allen, died this morning at 10 o'clock at her residence, 1004 State street. Her death had been expected for several days. She had been in failing health for a long time but in the past six months she had been declining rapidly in strength. Up to a few weeks ago she had been able to be out occasionally and at that time there was no thought that the end was so near. Since then she had suffered a sudden decline in strength and the last few days of her life she had been unconscious. The end came peacefully, and Mrs. Allen slipped away as though in a deep sleep. Mrs. Allen belonged to a prominent old Alton family. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Platt. She was born in Alton, November 28, 1849, and was in her seventy-fourth year. She spent all of her life in Alton. She was married to George Root Allen, December 19, 1877. She was the mother of six sons, and until the tragic accidental death of Burt Allen, July 23, 1919, the family circle had not been broken by death. The only member of her family of six boys who passed on before her, while enjoying the best of health, was fatally hurt by diving into a lake and striking his head on a submerged rock. His death was a cruel blow to the mother, but she seemed to bear it with great fortitude. It is believed that her decline began as the result of her mourning for her boy. She leaves beside her aged husband, George R. Allen, five sons, Howard and George of Alton, Walton of Albuquerque, N.M., Hollis of Detroit, and Stanley of Kansas City, Mo. She leaves also one sister, Miss Sadie J. Platt, of Alton, who was the devoted companion of Mrs. Allen in the many years that the two shared the same home. Mrs. Allen was a devout member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and was liberal with her services and her money in the cause of the church in which she was an earnest member. Her first place, however, was in the home where she reigned as the queen of her household. She had the most faithful and loyal affection of her whole family of boys and of her husband, and to all of them she was an inspiration. Among her neighbors she was beloved and her hand was always ready to do any good work and render any aid she could. Her death is a sad blow to her aged husband who has been in poor health himself, but has been completely conscious of the fact that his wife was about to be taken from him. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. ***********************************
ALLEN, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28, 1922 Colored Soldier, Gassed in France, Dies Charles Allen, aged 31, a colored soldier sent from Alton in the draft during the way, died Wednesday in the Great Lakes hospital at Chicago from the effects of gassing. He was in a contingent of fighting men who were engaged in the battle of the Argonne forest, and while there he suffered from poison gas. He came home and was taken in charge for treatment, but never recovered. The body will arrive in Alton Sunday morning and the funeral will be Sunday afternoon from the Upper Alton colored Baptist church. (Later on January 30, 1922: The funeral of Charles Allen, colored, was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Upper Alton Baptist church, with Rev. Hodges officiating. A number of ex-service men attended in a body. The interment was in the Oakwood cemetery. He was buried with military honors.) **********************************
ALLEN, GEORGE R./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 11, 1923 Civil War Veteran, Alton Business Man, Dies George R. Allen, retired manufacturer, civil war veteran, and one of Alton's most prominent citizens for many years, died Sunday night at 10 o'clock at his home, 1004 State st. His death had been expected the last week, at almost any time. He had been in failing health for two years. The death of his wife recently was a blow from which the aged gentleman was not long in showing the effects. He had not been well for some time, but the disaster that overtook him when his wife died was a crushing one. Since that time he had only been waiting until his time would come to join her. The couple had been a most devoted pair. They had reared a family of six sons and it had remained unbroken until a few years ago when one son, Bert, accidentally lost his life by striking his head on a stone while diving into a swimming pool. That was perhaps the beginning of the decline of both the parents. In March 1877, Mr. Allen was married to Anna Elizabeth Platt, who died four months ago. Mr. Allen at one time was one of the owners of one of the most important industries in Alton, in the days when industries were few here. He was one of the firm of Allen & Ryrie, which conducted the Alton Box Co. plant here near the site of the present Alton Water Co. pumping station. It was a very successful business. It operated a large saw mill in the days when the lumbering industry was prosperous along the Mississippi river and it cut up logs which were rafted down the river. They employed a large force of men in the saw mill and in the box factory connected with it. A little more than thirty years ago, the plant was destroyed by fire and it was never rebuilt here. One of the biggest customers the firm had was the Drummond Tobacco Co., which had been in Alton and which had been moved to St. Louis. when the plant was burned James T. Drummond bought a third interest in it and the plant was moved to St. Louis where it would be more conveniently located for its best customer. There it continued in business until the Drummond Tobacco Co. was sold to the tobacco trust. After that Mr. Allen was not actively engaged in business. He, with his partner, J. M. Ryrie, retired. Mr. Allen was a man who was known for his liberality, his interest in the institutions of his home city. He was a very successful business man, and one who made a great number of friends in Alton where he had made his home for many years. In the neighborhood where he lived, he was one of the most highly esteemed men. Among the men who worked for him, he was exceedingly popular. During the closing days of Mr. Allen, most of his children were with him. They are Howard and George of Alton, Walton of Albuquerque, N. M., Hollis of Detroit, and Stanley of Kansas City. Mr. Allen was born in Craftsbury, Vt., September 13, 1842, and was in his eighty first year. He enlisted in the Union cavalry in 1864 and saw one year's service in the Civil war. A few years after he had been discharged from service in the army, he came west and settled at Alton. He was a nephew of A. K. Root and he stayed at the Root home. He had lived in Alton about fifty years. He was employed in the business with J. E. Hayner in a saw mill, which Mr. Hayner was operating and afterward the partnership was formed in which Mr. Allen and Mr. Ryrie were taken in. They managed the plant. About thirty two years ago, this plant was moved to St. Louis and in 1900 Mr. Allen retired from business. Besides his sons, Mr. Allen leaves a brother, Joseph Allen, of Atchison, Kansas. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the residence on State street. The services will be conducted by Rev. Frederick D. Butler of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Burial will be in the City cemetery. It is requested that flowers be omitted. ***********************************
ALLEN, HENRY C./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 6, 1915 Victim of Elevator Accident Dies The third victim of the accident at the Stanard-Tilton elevator died at 11 o'clock Tuesday night at the hospital. Henry C. Allen, the third victim, died not regaining consciousness....Roland Adams, business agent of the Building Trades Council, said today that after a careful inspection of the broken framework he was convinced that the accident was due to a defect in two pieces of lumber 2x12 inches, which had been spiked together. The timbers showed no apparent defect until they were broken and it could then be seen that they were not of the best quality..... ************************************
ALLEN, JACKSON/Source: Alton Telegraph, January 6, 1871 (review of 1870) On February 27, 1870: Jackson Allen, of New Douglas, an early pioneer of Madison county, died, aged 84 years. **************************************
ALLEN, JAMES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2, 1917 James Allen, aged 69, a drayman in Alton, died suddenly this morning about 9:50 o'clock at the home of his sister, Mrs. Arthur Dixon, on Bluff street. Mr. Allen, who was unmarried, had made his home with his sister's family for years. He had been suffering from heart trouble for a number of years, but of late had not experienced any bad attacks from it. He was engaged in feeding his flock of chickens when stricken. Mrs. Richard Walsh, who lives next door, noticed him going down to his chicken yard and later she noticed he had fallen and was unable to rise. She informed her husband, who investigated and found the old drayman in a bad way. With the assistance of Arthur Dixon, Mr. Allen was taken back to the house and a physician summoned. He lived a little more than a half hour after being taken back to his home. Mr. Allen was born in St. Louis but lived here most of his life. He was engaged as a drayman for many years, but had been in retirement a long time, as large means of hauling had supplanted the old fashioned dray. He served during the Civil War as a Union Soldier. He leaves two sisters, Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Mary Still of Godfrey. A coroner's inquest was held this afternoon by Deputy Coroner W. H. Bauer. It developed he had been a sufferer from arterial hardening for a long time and to this was attributed his sudden death. **************************************
ALLEN, KATE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 8, 1914 Widow of Old Time Steamboat Man Dies at Upper Alton Home Mrs. Kate Allen, widow of Boone Allen, died in her home in Upper Alton, 1732 Main street, this afternoon at 1 o'clock, from old age. Dropsy was the immediate cause of her death. Mrs. Allen had lived in Upper Alton over fifty years. Her husband, Boone Allen, was an old time steamboat man, and died in Upper Alton several years ago. Mrs. Allen's last illness began about three months ago. She is survived by two sons and three daughters. They are Mrs. E. A. Graham of Washington D. C.; John W. Allen, general freight agent of the M. K. & T. at St. Louis; Mrs. Alice Melbin of Helena, Mont., who is now here; Mrs. D. M. Kittinger; and Boone Allen of Upper Alton. Funeral arrangements have not been made. **************************************
ALLEN, MARION O./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 13, 1917 Killed in Elevator Accident - Terribly Crushed Marion O. Allen, aged 23, was fatally injured Saturday morning just after beginning work for the day at the George M. Ryrie Wholesale grocery store on Broadway. Allen was caught between the floor of the ascending electric elevator and the first floor of the store building. According to those who witnessed the accident, Allen was hoisting some goods from the basement on the elevator. He had pushed a truck off the elevator floor before starting, and when the elevator started to rise he noticed that the truck had started to run back toward the elevator pit. In an effort to prevent the truck dropping into the pit, he leaned over and tried to push the truck back, without checking the ascent of the elevator. One of his fellow workmen noticed the danger Allen was in and shouted to him to be careful. It was too late, however. The elevator platform had risen so high that Allen was caught, as he leaned over, between the ascending elevator platform and the first floor of the building. He was given a terrible squeezing before the power could be shut off and the pressure released. It was seen at once he was badly hurt and the ambulance was summoned and he was hurried to the hospital, but was dead before he could be carried into the institution. Allen had worked at the Ryrie store about two years. He leaves his wife and two children, at the family home, 312 Dry street. He was very highly esteemed by his employers. Marion Allen was the son of James Allen who lives near Elsah. Besides his wife, he leaves two small children, one about 4 years and the other about 1 year of age. The inquest will be held over the body this evening. The body will be shipped to Elsah on Monday morning, and the funeral will be held there on Monday afternoon. ****************************************
ALLRED, AARON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 31, 1921 Aaron Allred, in his ninetieth year, died this morning at 122 Missouri Avenue, after a long illness. A week ago he refused to be taken to the hospital, saying he preferred to stay where he was. At that time he was fully clothed, even to his hat, and was lying in bed, refusing to allow anything to be done for him. Allred was an old time horse trader and had been a resident of Alton many years. **************************************
ALLSMAN, CHARLOTTE EVA/Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, October 23, 1922 **************************************
ALLSMAN, HARRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 31, 1914 Yachts Collide, Harry Allsman Drowned Harry Allsman, aged 23, residing in East End Place, was drowned Thursday evening when a small power boat in which he was riding collided with the larger yacht, Illiola, which was bringing home from an outing a party of Alton people. The drowning was the sequel of two outing parties crossing each other in the Mississippi river, and a mistake made by the two young men in the smaller boat. Allsman and Henry Koenig had brought back to Alton in the small boat a party of Kinloch telephone girls who had gone down to the Unique camp to spend the evening and have supper. The two young men were returning to camp when they encountered the Illiola. George Crowson, who was at the helm of the Illiola, saw the small boat approaching, and he sounded the signal for the down stream craft to take the left and he supposed the boys would comply. The boys, it is said, became confused and mistaking the Illiola for the dock to which they were going, got across the bow of the Illiola despite efforts on the part of the pilot of the Illiola to keep out of their way. The Illiola's engine had been reversed when the little boat came across her sharp bow. The side of the small yacht was broken in and the two occupants thrown into the water. The supposition is that Allsman, who was sitting where the impact occurred, was stunned or injured and could not help himself. Life preservers were thrown to him and a 50-foot line, but he paid no attention to them. George Goeken, on the Illiola, reached his hand out to Allsman as he floated by the Illiola, and shouted twice for him to take hold, but Allsman apparently paid no attention to the command. This gave ground for the belief that the young man had been injured and could not help himself. Then life preservers were thrown out and they floated on down and the life line was thrown out and it too failed to attract attention of the young man. In the meantime Koenig had leaped aboard at the bow of the Illiola and was safe. The accident occurred near the light on Bayless Island, across the river. The Illiola party spent an hour cruising about searching for the young man but could not find him. Capt. Crowson, who was in charge of the Illiola, is an old experienced river man and his judgment is regarded as being excellent, so that no blame could attach to him for the accident. He attributes the collision either to a mistake on the part of the young men on the small boat, or to their misunderstanding of boat signals. On board the Illiola, when the accident occurred, were Capt. Crowson, the members of the Illiola Quartet, Frank Cleveland, Ed Mawdsley, Bert Rexford, also George Goeken and son, Charles Luft and family, Charles Ochler and family, William Ulrich and family, and Herman Newman. After the accident the damaged boat was towed back to the Unique Club camp and the drowning reported there. According to the story told a Telegraph representative this morning, by Henry Koenig, who was in the little boat at the time of the accident, Allsman must have been injured before he went into the river, and this probably was the cause of his death. Koenig said that he and Allsman had been attending an outing at the Unique Social club camp, and made a trip from the camp to Alton with a party of telephone operators from Alton who had been attending the outing. It was while the young men were on their way back to the camp that the accident occurred. Koenig claims that they had the proper lights, but admitted that Allsman, who was steering the boat, attempted to cross ahead of the Illiola and take the Missouri shore. He said that he did not realize the boats were so close, until the boat in which he was sitting was struck by the boat coming up the river. Koenig said, "I am not able to swim a stroke, and I felt certain that my end was near. I saw Allsman get hit in the leg by the big boat and then drop into the water, and I caught hold of the boat we were in. The boat tipped over, but I clung on, not knowing what else to do. It seemed a long time that I was under the water, but finally the little boat righted and I climbed in. It started to sink but I managed to get aboard the Illiola. I saw Harry struggling about in the water for about five minutes, but he seemed in no danger outside of the fact that he seemed unable to get hold of the life preservers and the ropes which were being thrown to him." The drowning will probably break up the Unique camp. While Allsman was not a member of the club, he has been at the camp all summer and several members of the club said this morning that after the accident they would not have the heart to continue their camp. Many of them returned to Alton this morning and it is expected that the others will be home the last of this week. ******************************************
ALT, GEORGE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 30, 1918 George Alt died this morning at 10 o'clock at his home at 612 East Fourth street after a six month's illness from paralysis. He was 70 years old and leaves a wife, one daughter, Mrs. William Patterson, and three sons, George R., Harry F., and Leslie G. Mr. Alt was a native of Alton, and for many years was engaged as a lumber worker. He was a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Alton Benevolent Society. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon from the Evangelical Church, REv. C. W. Heggemeier officiating. ******************************************
ALTHOFF, LAVINIA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 5, 1911 Mrs. Lavinia Althoff, aged 75, widow of J. F. Althoff, died Saturday evening at 6 o'clock at her home, 406 west Fourth street, after a brief illness. Mrs. Althoff had been a resident of Alton for many years and was highly respected by all who knew her. She leaves one daughter, Miss Mary Althoff, two sisters and a brother. The funeral will be tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Interment at Greenwood cemetery will be private. Mrs. Althoff had lived in Alton about fifty one years. She had been in perfect health until a week before her death, when she was stricken with paralysis. Two other sisters, Mrs. M. Robidon and Mrs. Mattie Groblinghoff, reside in St. Louis. She leaves a brother and a sister in Ohio. *****************************************
ALTHOFF, MARY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 16, 1916 Miss Mary Althoff, cashier of the office of Beall Bros. for seventeen years, died suddenly today at her home, 406 west Fourth street, after a brief illness. Miss Althoff was at her post of duty in the Beall's cashier's office Friday. When she did not appear for work on Saturday morning, there was no particular concern as she was a privileged employee, and when she did not arrive at the office it was supposed she was not feeling well and had not gone to work....The unexpected closing of the life of Miss Althoff caused general surprise and deep regret among the many who had known her well. She was a quiet, unassuming woman, possessed of much ability, and she was deeply religious. At SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral where she held membership, she was known for her devotion to church work, and she often stood as sponsor when such a representative was required in the church services. In the office of Beall Bros., her services were regarded as invaluable....She leaves no relatives here except her aunt, Mrs. M. Groblinghoff, who resided with her, and another aunt, Mrs. R. Robidou of St. Louis. The cause of Miss Althoff's death was uraemic poisoning. She had suffered a sudden attack of this malady, and it was impossible to give her any relief when the trouble assumed an acute stage. The time of the funeral has not been set. ****************************************
AMBRICK, STEVE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 31, 1919 Falls 30 Feet Into Rock Pile Injuries sustained in a 30-foot fall from a ledge of the bluff in the Gissal quarry above Alton proved fatal this morning to Steve Ambrick. Ambrick fell into a pile of rocks. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, but died soon after arriving there. Ambrick lived in the Wittle house on West Broadway. Workmen at the quarry said he has a wife and children in his native country in Europe. Three others were on the ledge with Ambrick when he fell. Evidence at the inquest conducted this afternoon by Deputy Coroner Bauer was that one of the men advised Ambrick to rest. It was shortly after this that he fell. There was no evidence to show that Ambrick had been ill. The verdict of the jury was that death was accidental. The body is being held by Deputy Coroner Bauer. A son, who resides in Detroit, Mich., is expected here tomorrow. The name secured by Deputy Coroner Bauer for the man is "Yumbink," while the name on an insurance policy carried by him was said to be "Yambink." ***************************************
AMRHEIN, WILLIAM/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 25, 1918 Killed in Accident William Amrhein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Amrhein of Bozza street, was fatally injured Saturday in an accident at the Aluminum Works at East St. Louis. He was 21 years of age. The young man was a member of the Alton Division of Illinois Naval Reserves. He was rejected for service in the army because of his being under weight. He planned to gain the weight he was short, and to make another attempt to enlist in the service. He was employed in the Aluminum Works near a crane. The man operating the crane did not notice the young man below him as he dropped the crane, and he struck Amrhein on the top of the head, crushing in his skull. Young Amrhein has been employed as fireman for the past six months. He was oiling a steel crane when it began to move, catching and crushing his head and shoulders. Immediately an ambulance was called to convey the injured man to the hospital, but before the trip was completed he died. Amrhein was 21 years of age, and single, and is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Amrhein; two brothers, Ferdie of Terre Haute, Ind., and Henry of the United States Navy; also four sisters, the Misses Mattie, Marie, Katherine, and Lulu, all of Alton. The body was brought to Alton Sunday by Undertaker W. H. Bauer, who went after it. The funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 o'clock p.m. from the Evangelical church at Eighth and Henry streets, in which he held membership. The burial will be in the City Cemetery. **************************************
AMBUEL, JOHN/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 1, 1895 John Ambuel, one of the most successful farmers of Leef Township, and a resident of Madison County for more than fifty five years, died Monday in his 64th year. John Ambuel was born in Canton, Graubuenden, Switzerland, March 31, 1831. His father, John H. Ambuel, was a farmer. He heard so much about the new world and the opportunities it offered that in 1839 he left his native land and with his family journeyed to Havre and embarked an old and weather-beaten sailing vessel to cross the Atlantic. After sixty-three days, during which time the old ship had frequently sprung a leak and endangered the lives of the passengers, the ship anchored at New Orleans. The family was transferred to a river boat and ascended to East St. Louis. Here they camped for several days in corn cribs while waiting for wagons to transport them to Highland. In September they arrived at their destination. The father engaged in farming and after the vicissitudes incident to life in a new country eventually became the owner of a quarter section of land. The subject of this sketch worked on this farm attending school at such time as his services were not needed at home. When a young man he was employed in various vocations. He operated a threshing machine several seasons and saved some money. Later he took charge of the farm and made it one of the most productive and finest in the township. He was married June 14, 1859 to Theresa Kraft. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom survive, Mary, wife of Henry Henschen, of Leef; John J. who lives in Highland, Christina who married Peter Ledue, of Saline; Phillip who also lives in Highland; Rosa wife of Peter Schrumpf, of Saline; Annie, Katherine, Jacob, Henry and Matilda. He served at different times as township collector and held the office when he died. He was also for many years a school director. Politically he was a democrat and served repeatedly as central committeeman for his township. He lived an industrious and honorable life. He was kind-hearted, a staunch citizen and a good friend. ******************************************
ANDERSON, CHARLES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 13, 1911 Charles Anderson, a negro quarryman employed at the John Armstrong quarries, fell forty feet this morning while at work, shortly after 10 o'clock, and died in the ambulance at the door of the hospital. He was working on a ledge alone, and the cause of his fall is not definitely known, but it is supposed he made a mis-step and plunged over the edge of the ledge. He fell on a pile of rock below and was picked up and started for the hospital, but died on the way. He was about 38 years of age and resided with his family on Elm street. *****************************************
ANDERSON, EDWARD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1911 Edward Anderson, a negro, was crushed to death this morning by an ore car, as he was working in a pit at the Federal Lead works. He was one of a gang of ten men who work at one of the pits where cars are loaded to be hoisted up an incline to the smelter, and after the night work was finished, he, with the other men, went into the pit to pick up ore that had fallen in loading the dump cars. While Anderson was there with another man, the remaining members of the gang having climbed out, a car was let down on them. Anderson alone was caught and was instantly killed. He leaves no family, his wife being in the penitentiary for killing a man. ****************************************
ANDERSON, OLAF B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 25, 1918 Olaf B. Anderson, 51, died at the home of his mother, Mrs. Tobis Anderson, 938 Union street, at five o'clock Wednesday evening after an illness that dates from last March. Anderson was well known in Alton, having lived here for forty-four years. He was known to his friends as "Rosie." Anderson was a painter by trade, but he had not worked at that for a number of years. He was born in Norway and came to the United States with his parents when he was three years of age. At seven, he came to Alton and has made his home here since. He is survived by his mother, one sister, Mrs. Thomas Oddy; two brothers, Adolph of Alton, and Julius Anderson of Wood River. The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon at three o'clock from the home to the city cemetery. Services will be conducted by Rev. C. C. Smith. ****************************************
ANDERSON, P. A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 19, 1920 Iceland Native Dies - Lived in Tent on Shields Street - Leaves No Known Relatives P. A. Anderson, the man with the best eye in the city of Alton, was a victim of a fatal automobile accident today on Bozza street. Anderson was killed while working for the city, setting some curb. He was the official curb setter of the city. His skill was so great that he was always at work when he would consent to stay away from John Barleycorn enough to keep on his feet. Drunk, he was said to be a far better curbsetter than most men when sober. His eye could catch the least crook in a line of curbing, and he never used a line to guide him, and the work he did is a complete example of how curbing ought to be set. So, when the city wanted to have some curb set on Bozza street, Anderson was hired, as he had been for years for all similar work, and he was engaged on the job this morning when he was hit by an automobile. Miss Helen Vahle of 8 East Delmar avenue was on her way to Edwardsville to get some parts to replace defective ones in her automobile. With her were her mother, Mrs. William F. Vahle, Miss Vessie Vahle, and Mrs. John Felker. The story of the accident given out was that Anderson was stooping over shoveling some crushed rock when the automobile struck him and he was dragged about thirty feet. The auto climbed a pile of rock, then sheered off and crossed a ditch in the road where water pipes had been laid. The form of Anderson still was caught on the automobile, but in crossing the ditch it became disengaged and the body dropped into the ditch. When picked up Anderson was lifeless. His skull had been fractured. Anderson was born in Iceland of Swedish parents, had been a resident of Alton for many years. He has no family so far as known. He had lived in a tent for two years back of the Sweetzer lumber yard, owing to the fact that a boarding house where he had lived had changed hands. He concluded not to hunt another boarding house, but to live in a tent. It was said that since he ceased to drink he had saved considerable money, and Deputy Coroner Bauer, to whom the body was turned over, was making search for the bank account. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at two o'clock from the Bauer undertaking parlors. Burial will be in the City cemetery.
Curb Setter's Tragic Romance Is Disclosed Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 24, 1920 Application for letters of administration on the estate of P. A. Anderson by the public administrator, Frank B. Sanders, brings to light a tragic romance in the life of Anderson, who so far as known, leaves no kin. James Hart, superintendent of the A. G. and St. L. line, is authority for the story, which he says, Anderson told him some time ago, explaining why he led a careless life. Anderson, it will be remembered, was instantly killed a week ago by being struck by an automobile on Bozza street while he was engaged in a job of curb setting. His death was just as he had always wished and had longed earnestly for, ever since his only romance was shattered. Anderson told James Hart that he was engaged to marry a girl in Sweden. He quarried the stone for a house and built the house. Just as he was to be married, he was called for army service, and stayed three years. During the time he was in the army, his fiancé died, without his knowledge. He came home to find her buried. He quarried the stone to build a wall around the cemetery lot where she lay, patted down the earth with his hands, then having finished the job, covered his eyes with his hands, after taking the last look, turned about and walked with his back to the grave. He went straight to the steamship docks, got on a ship, sailed for America, and here he was only six days when he began naturalization proceedings, planning never to go back, and he never did go home. He brooded over his loss of his fiancé. He worked hard and drank much. He wished his death at all times. He would not take his own life, but he said he never lay down at night that he did not hope that he might never wake. He said he often wished that a train would kill him or he would meet some fatal accident in his work. His father, a number of years ago, then a man of 77, came here and lived with him for a while, and worked at curb setting with the son. Anderson had not heard from his father for years. In telling his story to Mr. Hart, Anderson said that he had always remained true to the memory of his dead sweetheart, and that no other women had ever interested him. He lived a life of loneliness. *****************************************
ANDERSON, TOBIAS M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 3, 1916 Tobias M. Anderson, a resident of Alton for many years and one of its most respected citizens, died Thursday evening at 7:20 o'clock at the family home on Union street, after an illness of a few weeks. An attack of the grippe, combined with the debility of great age and complications of pleurisy and pneumonia proved fatal. He was 77 years of age. Mr. Anderson was born in Fieke Fjord, Norway, December 24, 1838. He came to America with his family in 1870, and going to Chicago entered the employ of the Hapgood Plow Co. in that city. After the Chicago fire, the Hapgood company moved to St. Louis in 1871, where another fire destroyed the plant in 1874. After this the company located in Alton, and Mr. Anderson came here with his family. In 1891 he was appointed superintendent of the Hapgood plant and held the position until 1907, when he concluded his long and faithful service to the company and retired. He had worked 37 years for the company and was one of the most highly esteemed men in the Hapgood employ. He was a kindly, quiet, unassuming man, beloved by his family and by all his neighbors and the men who had worked with him. He was a devoted husband and father, and his death is a sad blow to his aged wife and his children. He leaves beside wife, one daughter, Mrs. Thomas Oddy and three sons, Adolph M., Olof B., of Alton, and Julius T. Anderson of Wood River. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the family home on Union street. ****************************************
ANDERSON, UNKNOWN WIFE OF JOSEPH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 16, 1914 Mrs. Joseph Anderson died at her home, 1616 Piasa street, at midnight Friday evening from congestion of the brain. Mrs. Anderson leaves a husband, a mother, six sisters and one brother. The body will be shipped to Belleville Monday morning for burial. ***************************************
ANDREWS, GEORGE M./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 8, 1921 Funeral services for the late George M. Andrews, who died Monday morning after an illness with a diabetic and tubercular ailment, will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late home, 1215 Belle street. Rev. Twing of the Baptist Church is to officiate and interment will be in the City Cemetery. Deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. E. S. Andrews, of this city, two sisters, Mrs. Edna Hainline of Neosha, Mo., and Mrs. Edith Shewmaker, of this city; also four brothers, Thomas E. of Faust, Mo., Ben C. of Bloomington, John M. and Arthur T., both of this city. Alton Post, American Legion, will conduct the military burial furnishing a firing squad and military escort in uniform. Deceased served with Battery F of the 139th Field Artillery, and was a member of the local Legion post. ******************************************
ANDREWS, LEONARD B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 20, 1918 Lieut. Dies in Argonne Battle Mr. and Mrs. James Andrews of Wood River, formerly of Alton, received a message today from the War Department informing them that their son, Leonard B. Andrews, had been killed in battle September 28. The Andrews family moved from Alton to Wood River two weeks ago. Their son enlisted at Alton in Co. B, 1st Missouri, May 24, 1917, when the company was here guarding the Alton bridge. He sailed for France May 6, 1918, when the regiment was sent overseas. He was in the 138th infantry, which took such a gallant part in the Argonne fighting, and in which a number of Alton boys participated. This regiment contained the largest group of Alton boys so far reported to have been in the worst of the fighting, and of the Alton boys a number have already been reported as killed or wounded. Andrews was 21 years of age. His parents had not received any word from him since he wrote a letter during the month of august. His silence had caused them considerable anxiety. ********************************************
ANGEL, ANNIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 13, 1915 Mrs. Annie Angel, widow of a former Alton glassblower, and for years a resident of Alton, died Sunday morning at 8 o'clock from bronchitis, at her home in Fosterburg, after a short illness. She was 83 years of age. Mrs. Angel lived over the Herb store for a long time and was well known in the eastern part of the city. She is survived by two sons and two daughters. ********************************************
ANTHIS, NINA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 26, 1910 Thirteen Year Old Girl Commits Suicide During School Recess Nina Anthis, aged thirteen years, of Yager Park, the daughter of Mrs. Sydney Anthis, drank carbolic acid during recess at the Yager Park school at 3 o'clock this afternoon, and died a few minutes later. The girl came to school in tears, some of the pupils stated, and was said to have remarked that her mother whipped her because she would not empty some potato peelings. She talked to the other children during recess and seemed to have gotten over her bad humor. Just as the bell was ringing for the pupils to come in after recess, the Anthis girl drew a little bottle out of her pocket, and before all of the school children drained the contents and dropped where she was. Miss Rhoda Bartlett, teacher of the Yager Park school, saw the girl fall and immediately came to her rescue. Seeing the little girl was dying she sent for a physician, and one arrived soon after, but the acid had done its work and the girl was dead. A note was found in the girl's pocket, but had not been opened and read up to 4 o'clock. It is in the possession of her mother, Mrs. S. B. Anthis. The story of the mother having whipped the child is denied by the mother, who would not make a statement. The children in the school were almost panic stricken when they saw their school mate dying from the effects of the poison, and Miss Bartlett had a hard time to control them.
Source: April 27, 1910 Inquiry into the motives that actuated Nina Brown Anthis, the adopted daughter of Mrs. S. B. Anthis, in suiciding Tuesday afternoon at the Yager park school, fails to develop any real reason why the girl should have killed herself. She was treated kindly at home, neighbors say, she had plenty of friends, and seemed happy and cheerful. Miss Rhoda Bartlett, the child's teacher, is inclined to believe that the child's mind was such she loved to be theatrical and spectacular. She delighted in doing things sensational and doubtless she had brooded in a morbid strain until she decided to kill herself. The letter she left was addressed to her "angel loving mother and angel loving brother," and was as follows: "Dear loving mother and brother: I would like to say one thing to you. It is, please bury my doll with me and that is all I care about, and leave my ring on my hand. I love you mother, and I love you Willie. I will meet you in heaven. Angels can not guard us now, but they can guard us in heaven. If I was a sinner before I die, I hope that God will forgive me and I pray God that Willie will be good to you and take good care of you. Your loving adopted child, Nina Anthis." It is said the child was of a nervous disposition, and very imaginative. She had probably become a victim of exaggerated egotism and had pondered on how spectacular it would be to kill herself and ask that her doll be buried with her. There is no other known reason. The funeral of the child will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home, and Rev. W. H. Bradley will have charge of the funeral. Burial will be in the Hawley Burying ground in the North Side. *******************************************
ANTHIS, WILLIAM B./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 17, 1919 William B. Anthis died this morning at 8:15 o'clock at the residence of his step-brother, J. L. Springer, on the State Aid Road. He was about 60 years of age. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Charles Meyer, of Staunton; one step-sister, Mrs. George McCullom of Wood River; and by one step-brother, J. L. Springer. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Streeper undertaking parlors. *******************************************
ANTHONY, HARLEY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 10, 1923 Hangs Self from Railroad Bridge Over Wood River A ghastly sight, the body of a dead man swinging from the end of a rope attached to the floor of the Big Four railroad bridge over Wood River, near East Alton, startled passersby this morning and gave rise to a rumor that there had been a lynching party. It turned out to be a case of suicide, and the body was that of Harley Anthony, an employee of the Western Cartridge Company. Deputy Coroner Streeper was notified about 6:45 o'clock this morning and he went after the body, taking it to the morgue in Upper Alton to be held there for an inquest. The body was identified by a slip of paper on which the name was written that made it possible to identify the corpse swinging from the bridge. It was found that Anthony had a family living on Bowman street in East Alton, consisting of a wife and two children. There was no doubt in the mind of anyone that he had committed suicide. His wife said, when informed of the finding of her husband's body, that he had been complaining of feeling unwell for a few days, and had been laying off from his work. He was employed as a caster at the brass plant of the Western Cartridge Company. About midnight, Friday night, Mrs. Anthony said, her husband rose from his bed, sat and smoked many cigarettes as if in deep thought, and then shaved himself, dressed and went out. He evidently procured a piece of clothes line rope at home, and gong to the bridge made arrangements for suicide. He must have adjusted the rope around his neck, tied it to the floor of the bridge and then slipped over the edge. The bridge was about 12 feet above the ground at the point where Anthony tied the rope, and his feet were about three or four feet from the ground as he hung and strangled to death. Anthony was 35 years of age. He had been working at the Western Cartridge plant for about a year. Anthony had been talking queer for a few days. A relative of his visited him yesterday and had conversation with him, and he said today that he had found Anthony very moody and depressed. It is supposed that he had become temporarily deranged. His parents live at White Hall, Ill. Coroner Streeper had not made arrangements for the inquest, but it is assumed that there will be no developments from that inquiry, except that it was a case of suicide. Members of his family would not admit knowing any reason for the suicide, except they said he had been in poor health for a few days and seemed to be very much downcast about it. *****************************************
ANTHONY, REBECCA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 29, 1921 Widow of Well Known Steamboat Man Who Died 24 Years Ago Mrs. Rebecca Anthony, widow of Jonathan Anthony, died Friday evening at 8 o'clock at her home, 1020 Alby street, after an illness of one year. The past three weeks she had been bedfast and her death was no surprise to members of her family, her great age having made it impossible for her to rally. Mrs. Anthony was a resident of Alton 45 years, and for 35 years of that time she had been a member of the First Presbyterian church, where she attended services until weakness of great age made it impossible for her to get out. She would have been 81 years of age the 22nd of April. Mrs. Anthony was born at Greenburg, Ind. Her husband, an old steamboat man, died in Alton 24 years ago. She was the last of 12 children. Surviving her are three daughters, Mrs. Allen Jameson, Mrs. H. Joseph Berner and Miss Grace Anthony. She leaves also six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The grandchildren are Mrs. F. L. Johnson of Chicago, Louis A. Berner of Bloomington, Julia, Pessie, Joyce and Jack Jameson of Alton and the great grandchild, Florence Berner of Bloomington. Mrs. Anthony was a quiet, home loving woman, deeply devoted to her family and was known as a kind, helpful neighbor. She was loved by all who knew her and among the large circle of old friends she leaves many who sincerely mourn her death. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home and services will be conducted by Rev. Edward L. Gibson, her pastor. ******************************************
ANTHONY, SARAH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 18, 1911 Mrs. Sarah Anthony, aged 65, died Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. N. Mahoney, 1302 Belle street, and the body was taken this morning to Havana, Ill. for burial. The funeral services were held at SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Mrs. Anthony came here a few days ago to make her home with her daughter. She leaves, beside the daughter, two sons, Harry of Alton and George of Peoria. *****************************************
ANTHONY, WILLIAM L./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 19, 1917 William L. Anthony, aged 65, died Wednesday morning at 4 o'clock at his residence on Claire avenue in Upper Alton after a long illness with heart trouble. Mr. Anthony was born in Tennessee, March 23, 1863, and in 1875 the family moved to Illinois, living first at Freeburg, later at Hillsboro. The past sixteen years the family had lived in Alton. In 1872 he was married to Miss Ellen Douglas in St. Clair County. He leaves his wife and six children: Albert of Hillsboro; Edward of Los Angeles, Cal.; Roy, Mrs. Jesse Card, and Mrs. P. J. Simmons and Mrs. William Coleman of Alton. He leaves also two brothers, one in St. Louis and one in Oklahoma. He was a prominent member of the First Baptist Church during all the time he lived in Alton. He was known for his sincerity of character and his deep interest in every good work, particularly that of the church in which he held membership. He was a devoted worker in the First Baptist Sunday school and was known for his perfect attendance. The funeral will be from the First Baptist Church, Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and burial will be at Hillsboro Saturday morning. *****************************************
APFEL, LEONAR/Source: Troy Star, June 21, 1894 A very sad case of suicide occurred at Marine Sunday morning [June 17], the victim of his own hand being Leonar Apfel, 26 years old. His mother, with whom he had been living, died the week before, and despondency over this loss was the cause. The weapon used was a revolver. The funeral occurred Monday afternoon. Deceased was clerk of the board of school directors. *****************************************
ARBUCKLE, ANNA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 23, 1913 Mrs. Anna Arbuckle, colored, died in Chicago yesterday. The remains were shipped today to Upper Alton, her former home, and the funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the home of William Shaw. *******************************************
ARBUCKLE, MARYBELLE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 31, 1921 Mrs. Marybelle Arbuckle aged 75 years, died at the family home in Brighton township last evening. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Upper Alton M. E. Church. *****************************************
ARBUCKLE, SARAH/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 23, 1914 Mrs. Sarah Arbuckle, an aged colored resident of Upper Alton, died at her home Sunday, corner of Powhattan and Washington avenue. She had lived in Upper Alton over fifty years. Her son George resided there with her. The funeral will be Wednesday afternoon from the church. *****************************************
ARBUTHNOT, CONRAD/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 26, 1913 Conrad Arbuthnot, for many years a prominent resident of Liberty Prairie, and a thresherman who had been depended upon for many years by farmers in his neighborhood to do their threshing work, died at his home Thursday evening from paralysis. He was stricken ten days ago. Mr. Arbuthnot was 87 years of age. He lived with his son, Isaac Arbuthnot. He leaves two other sons, Samuel and William, and a daughter, Mrs. Frank Bryan. Many years ago Mr. Arbuthnot was a steamboat engineer, and after he went farming he bought a threshing outfit which he followed for many years. ****************************************
ARBUTHNOT, SAMUEL A./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 18, 1922 Samuel A. Arbuthnot, whose death occurred yesterday at his home near Bethalto, was born in St. Louis on May 10, 1859. With his family he moved to Liberty Prairie in Fort Russell Township, when he was a child. His father was a farmer. Until the time of his marriage to Miss Ella Evans on January 22, 1885, he resided on his father's farm with the exception of two years he spent in St. Louis. After his marriage, he farmed his grandfather's place in Fort Russell. In the fall of 1887 he moved to a farm north of Bethalto, known as the Russell Newman place. He remained on the Newman place for 22 years as a dairy farmer, being very successful. Thirteen years ago he moved to his own farm nearby. His first wife died July 29, 1915, and on December 9, 1920, he married Mrs. Emma Schott of Upper Alton, his first wife's sister. He also leaves two sons and a daughter, Walter, Con and Mrs. Emma Culp; one brother, I. W. Arbuthnot and a sister, Mrs. Frank Bryant of St. Louis. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Bethalto and a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge. He was a highly respected citizen and the news of his death was received with much regret. His death was due to typhoid fever. The funeral will be held from the Presbyterian Church at Bethalto Friday at 1:30 o'clock, services to be conducted by the Rev. Edward L. Gibson of the First Presbyterian Church, this city. Interment will be in the Liberty Prairie Cemetery. ***************************************
ARCHER, GEORGE W./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 23, 1914 Victim of Ptomaine Poisoning - Desperate Man Out of Work and Borrows Dollar For His Last Meal George W. Archer, an employee at the Singer Sewing Machine Co. for several years at Alton, died at St. Joseph's Hospital this morning following an attack of ptomaine poisoning supposed to have been due to eating some ptomaine infected chili con carne at an Alton restaurant. Archer was 34 years of age, and he leaves a wife and a child who are visiting at El Paso, Tex., and were notified by telegram this morning by Undertaker Keiser that Archer had died. The meal was eaten by Archer on Saturday night, and he was taken very ill that night. There was every symptom of ptomaine poison. He was found lying on the floor in the room he occupied at the McBride boarding house on Second street, and was suffering excruciatingly. From that time his condition was regarded as very dangerous. When taken to the hospital Tuesday he was in a bad way, the malady having progressed so far that he was unwilling to allow anyone to touch him, said to be a symptom that the case is a desperate one. His death occurred at 3:55 o'clock this morning. The death was attended with terrible agony for the dying man. A friend of Mr. Archer this morning related to the Telegraph a story of the death of the young man that is one of the most pitiful ones that has come to light this winter. Archer, the friend says, had been without work for eight weeks. He had worn out his shoes tramping about seeking a job. He had been reduced, she says, to extreme destitution. He had secured promises of jobs, but none of them came true. He borrowed a dollar from a friend on Saturday. That night he went to a restaurant to get the cheapest food he could buy to make it go far. He had not eaten for three days at that time. The friend does not believe it was altogether the chili con carne that killed him, so much as the fact that after his three days' fast and his efforts to get a job, he was so run down he could not undergo the suffering. He had no shoes, and was wearing slippers last Sunday, cold day though it was, and he had no overcoat. He was very poorly clad. "I am telling this to you so that public won't form any bad impressions of Archer when his room is examined and it is found he had no clothing aside from what he wore. He was not a drinking man. His wife was a daughter of a well to do Greenfield, Ill. man, Charles Daniels, and I had known them for twelve years. The father-in-law of Archer, to aid the family, offered to send the daughter and her two year old child to El Paso, Tex., in hope that the climate would benefit her weak lungs. Archer was too proud to permit his father-in-law to bear the expense, and he insisted that he be allowed to share it. He worked all summer and every cent he got he sent to his wife, so that when he had lost his job eight weeks ago, he had no reserve on which to live. It was up to Archer to hunt a job, and he hunted. His shoes wore out, and he resorted to a pair of slippers. It was the coldest, meanest day of the winter, when many families were sitting in their warm homes, enjoying good dinners, that Archer managed to borrow a dollar. He had been broke, and without food. Too proud to beg, he would rather starve. He would ask for nothing but the privilege of work. When he borrowed the dollar, he wanted to invest it in the cheapest food he could get, and he hunted up the chili con carne establishment. There he ate a portion. It is said he was trying to save a portion of the dollar to send a Christmas gift to his little boy in El Paso, whose faith in Santa Claus was not to be shattered. Whether he ate too much or it was the food, his friends are uncertain. They do know that there was an added tinge of the sombre to the tragedy, when on Monday, someone telephoned a message to him from East Alton that a job was waiting for him. He was delirious and never knew his long quest for work had succeeded. It was too late." In conclusion, the friend who narrated the above to the Telegraph declared that Archer did not drink, was an industrious man, and that he was good to his wife and loved his little child with a love that would call for all sacrifices. The story of his industry, good habits and good character were corroborated at the place where he had been employed.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 26, 1914 The burial of George W. Archer took place yesterday afternoon from the undertaking establishment of Allen Keiser. Rev. Irving G. McCann conducted the funeral services. A sister and her husband came here from Claymore, Okla. to attend the burial. There was nothing for them to do when they arrived, as between what could be done with a small sum telegraphed by the widow and what the Alton friends of the young man did, his burial expenses were amply provided for. About thirty friends of Archer attended the funeral, and his friends saw to it that there were some flowers to lay on the casket. *************************************
ARMSTRONG, DON/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 12, 1915 Don Armstrong died at 11:20 this morning at the family home at 815 East Third street after a short illness of two weeks duration. Mr. Armstrong, who was in his thirtieth year, is survived by his wife, his mother, Mrs. S. J. Biggs of Alton, and one brother, Paul Armstrong, and one sister, Mrs. William Gottleb. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at two thirty from the family home on East Third street. ************************************
ARMSTRONG, E*****/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 28, 1923 Mrs. E***** [unreadable] Armstrong, widow of J. N. Armstrong, formerly a well known resident of the North Side, died last Saturday at Hardin, Ill., where she had been making her home, and the funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the home of Frank Oettle, where she had lived. She was in her 68th year. A Hardin newspaper says this of Mrs. Armstrong: "Much of her life was spent in Alton until nine years ago, when she took up her residence at the home of Frederick Oettle near Hardin, and later in Hardin. She assisted him in caring for his two motherless children. His untiring efforts in behalf of Mr. Oettle's two little ones were repaid by his and their kindness to her, and during her last illness Mr. Oettle left nothing undone to alleviate her sufferings and make her as comfortable as possible. Her daughters were notified of her illness and arrived in time to be with their mother the last few days. Funeral services were conducted at the Oettle home Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, by Rev. J. J. Bostick, after which the remains were laid to rest. Six of her nephews, James Snider, Allen Snider, John Snider, Henry Smith, Charles Smith and Samuel Geske, were her pallbearers. She leaves to mourn her departure, two daughters, Mrs. Nettie Herman of Alton and Mrs. John Gill of Cowela, Okla.; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Smith of Hardin and Mrs. August Geske of west of Hardin; three brothers, John, William and Henry Snider of Hardin; nine grandchildren and a number of other relatives and many friends. ***************************************
ARMSTRONG, J. N. (JEFF)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 1, 1912 Committed Suicide by Drinking Carbolic Acid and Alcohol J. N. Armstrong, better known as "Jeff" Armstrong, committed suicide Wednesday night by drinking four ounces of a mixture of alcohol and carbolic acid, which he had prepared for him by a druggist downtown after 9 o'clock last night. The mixture was three parts alcohol and one part carbolic acid. It is said, and the suddenness with which it caused death, is a surprise, considering the well known fact that usually carbolic acid does not kill when the person drinking it has been drinking liquors or alcohol of any kind at the same time. Mr. Armstrong, who is 69 years old, has been employed at the brickyard for some time, and yesterday afternoon, according to his wife, returned home saying he had had trouble with the superintendent, and that he would go downtown and get another job. He did go downtown, and returned to his home at 2607 State street in an excited or intoxicated condition, Mrs. Armstrong says. Some quarreling followed, and he threatened to commit suicide and asked her for the carbolic acid bottle. She told him it was empty. He asked George Rain if he had any of the acid and later said he would go downtown and buy some. Mrs. Armstrong followed him to town, hoping to prevent him obtaining the poison, but failed to locate him after he left. About 11 o'clock last night he returned home and asked her to let him in. She delayed a little in going downstairs, and he urged her to open the door as it "would be the last time" he would ever ask her to do this for him. After he entered the house, he told her goodbye, then turned a bottle containing about one fourth of an ounce of the mixture up to his mouth. She attempted to knock the bottle from his lips but failed, and he turned to walk out the front door. He pitched forward and lay quiet with his head outside the door, the remainder of his body inside. Mrs. Armstrong screamed and ran across the street to the residence of Dr. J. E. Watson, and he responded quickly. He found Mr. Armstrong dead. Coroner Streeper was notified and will hold an inquest this evening or tomorrow. Mr. Armstrong leaves his wife and two children, Mrs. William Herman of Upper Alton, and Mrs. John Gill of Oklahoma. The funeral will not be held until Mrs. Gill can get to Alton and until Mr. Herman and a grandchild of the deceased can arrive from the north. It is thought the funeral will be held Sunday. Dr. Watson thinks that Mr. Armstrong took four ounces of the mixture in four doses, and that the one his wife saw him drinking was the last dose. If that were all he drank of it, Dr. Watson thinks the result would not be fatal. It is the opinion of many people that "Jeff" intended only to frighten his wife and had no intention of killing himself. And it is urged that is why he had carbolic acid and alcohol mixed .... [unreadable] **************************************
ARMSTRONG, KATHERINE HASKELL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 27, 1918 Well Known Alton Woman Was Connected with Monticello Seminary As Instructor Miss Katherine Haskell Armstrong, for many years an instructor at Monticello Seminary, and for a few years one of the acting principals of the school following the death of Miss Harriet Newell Haskell, died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Alton at 4:45 o'clock Tuesday morning after a long illness. She had been growing weaker steadily and her death was no surprise to those who were attending her. Miss Armstrong was born and reared in Alton, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Armstrong. She was born in 1850 and was 68 years of age. She graduated from Monticello Seminary in the year 1871, and was valedictorian of her class. She was employed as an instructor at Monticello Seminary the year following her graduation, and for many years she continued at that institution until advancing years forced her to relinquish the work and go into retirement. The death of her good friend, Miss Harriet Newell Haskell, probably determined her severing connection with the school at the time she did. She had been one of two acting principals who bridged over the period from the death of Miss Haskell to the coming of a new principal. She had served as secretary of the Board of Trustees and had also made a trip abroad with Miss Haskell, for a period of six months. Seven years ago she came to Alton and made her home with her niece, Mrs. O. G. Norris. Since coming back to her old home, Alton, she had taken a very active interest in St. Paul's Episcopal Church in which she held membership, also in the Browning Club, the Woman's Council and especially in the work of the Red Cross. Miss Armstrong was a woman of simple dignity, and possessed a high character and a sweet disposition which made her greatly admired by all who knew her. Her illness began seven months ago and for a time it was believed that the end would come quickly soon after she was taken down. She was moved to St. Joseph's Hospital where she could receive the benefit of professional nursing and there she remained until the end. Miss Armstrong leaves the following nieces and nephews: Mrs. George S. Haskell of Chicago; Mrs. O. G. Norris; Fred D. Johnson; Thomas A. Johnson; Mrs. Bern Degenhardt; Herbert Armstrong; Miss May Armstrong; and William D. and Paul Armstrong of Alton. The body of Miss Armstrong will be taken from the hospital to the home of her niece, Mrs. Norris, 603 Henry street. The funeral will be from St. Paul's Episcopal Church and will be conducted by the rector, Rev. Frederick D. Butler, assisted by Rev. H. M. Chittenden, an old friend of Miss Armstrong. ***************************************
ARMSTRONG, MARY E. (nee PARKER)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 11, 1911 Mrs. Mary E. Armstrong, widow of William Armstrong, died at her residence, 408 Euclid place, Monday morning at 1:30 o'clock, after an illness of 16 months. Her death was sudden, her family being unprepared for it although she had been unconscious since Friday noon. She had been in feeble health and able to get out of her home seldom, for a long time. She was planning, however, to take a trip to a health resort in the hope that she might be benefitted by the change, but the attending physician had advised that she postpone the trip until next spring. While eating dinner, Friday noon, she became unconscious, and did not rally again. About midnight Sunday night, her daughter, Miss May Armstrong, noticed a change for the worse, and after all the members of the family had been called to her, she died without regaining consciousness. The malady at first was diagnosed as neuritis, but afterward uraemic poisoning set in and this caused her death. Mrs. Armstrong's maiden name was Parker. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parker, who came to Alton in 1846. Mrs. Armstrong was born in Morgan county, near Jacksonville, November 28, 1841, and would have been seventy years old her next birthday. Her only surviving brother is Newton Parker of Alton, who is ten years her senior. She was married to William Armstrong at Springfield, February 28, 1867. At the time she was making a trip, and Mr. Armstrong went to Springfield for the purpose of being married to her. They returned to Alton and went to housekeeping on Main street. For thirty-one years she lived on Danforth street in the house that was sold and transformed into a convent for the Ursuline sisterhood. The family then moved to Euclid avenue, where Mrs. Armstrong passed the remainder of her days. She was a member of the First Methodist church from the time of her marriage, and was from her first connection with the church, a devoted member. In her home she found her most valued place. Her home was her chiefest pride and she was the best of mothers and a devoted dutiful wife. As a neighbor, she was highly prized by those who lived near her. Her interest was not alone in people near her own age, but she was ever concerned in the affairs of the younger people she knew and by them was loved. She was a well informed woman, one of her chief delights being to read books. She is survived by her three children, Miss May Armstrong, William D., and Paul Armstrong, all of whom lived with their mother. The funeral will be Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home, and the services will be conducted by REv. W. T. Cline of the First Methodist church. He will be assisted by Rev. J. A. Scarritt, an old time friend of Mrs. Armstrong. Friends of the family are invited to the services at the home. Interment will be private. ******************************************
ARNOLD, CHRISTOPHER/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 13, 1923 Christopher Arnold, well known old time glassblower, died at his home, 634 Spring street, at 12:15 a.m. yesterday, from a cerebral hemorrhage. Mr. Arnold was 58 years of age. He was taken sick about a week before his death with what was believed to be malaria. He had not been feeling well and decided to take off some time at the Western Cartridge Co., where he was employed. His case was not regarded as serious and he was up and around his home until the day before he suffered the stroke. Friday morning he was paralyzed and death followed about 36 hours later. Mr. Arnold came here from Baltimore, Md., 25 years ago. He worked as a blower at the plant of the Illinois Glass Co. until the time of doing away with hand blowing of bottles. He was prominent in the activities of the Glass Bottle Blowers union at Alton during all the time he was connected with it. Eight years ago he took a place at the plant of the Western Cartridge Co., and had worked there continuously since. He came here from Baltimore, Md., where he was born. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Teresa Arnold and six children: William Arnold, Mrs. Frank Boeschert, Mrs. Ralph Ballard, Mrs. L. Caldwell, henrietta and Leroy Arnold. He leaves also five grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Lazerne and Mrs. Kate Griest, and two brothers, William and John Arnold of Baltimore. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home, Rev. S. D. McKenny of the Cherry Street Baptist church officiating. Burial will be in City cemetery. ******************************************
ARNOLD, JESSIE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28, 1920 Jesse Arnold, aged 46, died at 12:30 o'clock this morning at his home, 1803 Alby street, after a long illness. He had remained at his place of employment in the Stanard-Tilton mill until about a month ago, when he was obliged to give up his work and from that time was confined to his home. Arrangements were being made to send him away to a sanitarium hoping the change might be beneficial, but he became so weak it was impossible to move him. He leaves his wife and five children; also a sister and a brother. The body will be taken to Carlinville, Ill. for burial Friday. *****************************************
ARNOLD, ROBERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 30, 1917 Robert Arnold, one of the best known plumbers in Alton, died last night suddenly at 12:30 o'clock at the home on Powhattan street in Upper Alton. Mr. Arnold had been slightly ill during the past week. While working at the Western Cartridge plant a week ago today, he fainted and was brought home. He did not leave his home since that day, but he was up and about his place all the time. He had complained at times during the last few days of pains in his chest, but he had no idea his condition was at all serious. Last evening he ate a hearty supper and was feeling as well as ever. The family had all retired for the night and shortly after midnight Mr. Arnold called his wife. He said he had a terrible pain in his back and chest. Without saying another word he quietly passed away. The members of the family had no idea that Mr. Arnold was dead until the physician arrived. Robert Arnold was 58 years old. He was born in Keokuk, Iowa. He was married to Miss Rose Maddock in St. Louis in 1884. He worked a long number of years at the plumbing trade in St. Louis before coming to Alton to live. He leaves his widow and six children. They are Mrs. Roy Smith of Judson avenue, Edwin Arnold of the Jefferson Barracks Band, Rose, Jessie, Ruth and Alvyn, who live at home. Edwin Arnold was called this morning at the Barracks and informed of his father's death, and he is expected home this afternoon. **************************************
ARRINGTON, LOUIS/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 5, 1911 Former Head of Glassblowers Organization, Main Builder of that Organization, Dies Louis Arrington, father of the glassblowers union in the United States, died at his residence, 931 east Third street, Thursday morning at 7 o'clock after an illness of seven years. Cancer of the liver was the cause of his death, although he had been a sufferer from heart trouble for six years preceding the appearance of the cancer. Probably no man in the glassblowing trade was more beloved, trusted and honored by the members of that organization in the United States. A number of years ago when the glassblowers throughout the country learned that their beloved former chief had lost heavily in a business venture and was in need of some assistance, they raised a handsome testimonial, which they hoped would be enough to make him comfortable the remainder of his life. Honest, plain spoken, faithful in every strictest construction of those terms, "Old Lew," as he was affectionately known among his fellow tradesmen, carried to the grave with him the undying respect and esteem of the men he had helped and for whom he never ceased to labor until death struck him with a fatal disease. Louis Arrington was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, September 4, 1837, and was in his 74th year. At the age of 13 he went with his mother to Licken county, Ohio, thence to Wheeling, W. Va., in 1851, where he went to work as "carrying in" boy in the plant of Quarter, Ott & Co. He was apprenticed to the trade September 14, 1852, and served four years. Having finished his trade he found himself unable to procure a situation without taking a reduction of wages or displacing some older workman, partly owing to the unorganized condition of the bottle blowers, and also to business depression. Few bottle blowers were then receiving the full list price. Men were working from 5 to 15 percent off the "list." Young Arrington would not work under such conditions, so he left the trade and took a job in the Crescent rail mills in 1856, where he remained five years. In 1861 he enlisted in the 2nd West Virginia volunteers, following the flag until he was mustered out with his regiment June 24, 1864. He re-entered the glass factory on returning home, and began instilling the principles of organization. He connected himself with the union in 1866, and stayed with it to the last. In 1875 he became connected with the organization existing in the west, and took an active part in organizing branch 31, at Alton, in 1877. He was elected to represent that branch at the first session of the improved league held in the west, and was chosen one of the executive committee. He was re-elected in 1878, but declined re-election the year following. He was elected manager of the league and held that position until 1886, when the Knights of Labor were organized. He was elected master workman of District 143 and retained that position until they withdrew from the Knights of Labor in 1891. When the eastern and western divisions united at Baltimore in 1890, he was elected president of the United Association, known as the United Green Glass Workers Association of the United States and Canada. He held the office four years, when he retired to engage in the shoe business at Alton. In March 1895, he was elected treasurer of Branch No. 2 at Alton, which he held five years. Since retiring from business in 1897, he suffered bad health. Notwithstanding sickness, he attended all meetings of the union he was able to attend, and never lost interest. In 1908 he was elected a delegate of the national glassblowers convention at Baltimore, but owing to a technicality was not allowed to take his seat. He was much disappointed, but in 1909 at Milwaukee, and 1910 at Atlantic City, he sat as a delegate. His stay at Atlantic City did not improve him in 1910 as it was hoped, and seemed to make him worse. Mr. Arrington was a thinker, a good executive, and impartial in official capacity. He believed in the Golden Rule and practiced it, asking only a "square deal for every man." Louis Arrington was appointed state factory inspector of Illinois by Governor Tanner in 1897. In politics he was a Republican, preaching the doctrine of tariff protection. He was a personal friend of President William McKinley and Mr. Arrington had much to do with the making of the glass schedule of the McKinley tariff bill and subsequent bills. He appeared before the Ways and Means committee of Congress to give the side of the glassworker. It was Arrington's plan of settling wage scales by joint conferences of committees representing the manufacturers and the workmen, and it can be said that no agreement thus made was ever broken. Louis Arrington, his fellow workers believe, belongs to them as much as to his family, and now that his suffering is ended there will be many who will say they are glad "Old Lew's" pain is finished, as his malady was an incurable one. In the office of state factory inspector, he acquitted himself with great credit, although maligned by many fanatical women in Chicago who did not know him well enough not to ascribe base motives in explanation of his official course. He enforced the law and retired after a creditable career in office. Knowing his death was near, some time ago he made all preparations for his funeral. He requested that J. C. Mench, a former glassblower, conduct his funeral services, saying that "Jake is a good enough Christian for me." Mr. Mench is Y. M. C. A. secretary at Mounds, Ill., and will comply with his friend's wish. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon from the Arrington home, and the glassblowers will attend in a body. ******************************************
ARRINGTON, MARY (nee RAYMOND)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 22, 1919 Mrs. Mary Arrington, widow of Louis Arrington, died this morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Thomas Goudie, at 931 East Fourth street. Mrs. Arrington has been ailing for some time, but was bedfast less than one week. Her husband was a former well known glassblower, and was president of the Glass Bottle Blowers Association for a number of years. He also filled the position as State Factory Inspector. He died nine years ago. Mrs. Arrington is survived by one sister, Mrs. Thomas Goudie and two brothers, George Raymond of Alton and Andrew J. Raymond of Cameron, Tex. No funeral arrangements will be made until word is received from the brother in Texas. Mrs. Arrington was born and raised in Alton, being before her marriage Miss Mary Raymond. ****************************************
ARTER, HAROLD J./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 11, 1922 Harold John Arter, aged 26, died Sunday morning at 11:15 o'clock at the home of his father, William H. Arter, 915 East Seventh street, after a long illness with complications of diseases. His illness was probably due to his army experience. He served in the aviation corps overseas during the war. He was taken very seriously ill last January and ever since that time he has been bedfast. Members of his family say that his illness doubtless had its beginning in his service in the army. He leaves beside his father, three brothers, James, Charles and William, and six sisters, Nellie, Alice, Frances, Winifred, Anna and Dorothy. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Patrick's Church. *******************************************
ARTER, ROSE/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 25, 1919 Mrs. Rose Arter will be buried on Thursday morning. The funeral will be held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Patrick's Church. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery and will be private. ******************************************
ASHLOCK, ALLEN/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 4, 1899 Allen Ashlock, son of Captain William Ashlock, died January 4, 1899 at age 38. He founded a profitable business on Second street, as a dealer in fish and vegetables. Interment will be in the Alton City Cemetery. *******************************************
ASHLOCK, HARRY L./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 19, 1917 Well Known Hunter and Fisherman Dies at His Home on Front Street Harry L. Ashlock, aged 52, well known Alton hunter and fisherman, died at his old home at 214 Front street at eleven o'clock this morning after an illness which dates back several years. His condition did not become serious until about four weeks ago. Since that time he has been confined to his bed and his condition grew worse steadily. Mr. Ashlock was survived by his sister, Mrs. John Wright. He was born in Alton in the same block in which he died, and lived here all of his life. He never married, but remained home with his parents. When a young man he went into the fish business with his father, and he continued to help his father until three years ago when the father died and the son took full charge of the business on the Alton levee at the foot of Market street. Mr. Ashlock was noted as a fisherman and a hunter throughout this part of the state. Many an Alton man will feel a personal loss at the death of Mr. Ashlock. He had a wide circle of friends in the city. The funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the home on Front street to the City cemetery. The services will be conducted at the home by Rev. M. W. Twing. *****************************************
ASHLOCK, JAMES T. (DOCTOR)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 15, 1917 Turbulent Spirit of "Oil City" Dies - Reputation of Quick to Shoot Dr. James T. Ashlock, for a long time justice of the peace at Wood River, died Wednesday morning at his home in West Wood River after a long illness, aged 68. He leaves one son. The death of Ashlock marked the closing of a life that had been a turbulent one. He was one of the first comers to the neighborhood of the new Standard Oil town when the Wood River refinery was started. He was a moving spirit in the disorderly days in that vicinity, and his name was conspicuous in many affairs. He was known as a man ready with his gun, and in those days, in Wood River and Benbow, the man with the gun was the man who had the last say. His son, Parke Ashlock, afterward murdered in East St. Louis by a woman in a room, was the village president of Wood River, up to the days when the Standard Oil Co., alarmed at the lawlessness there, took matters in its own hand and threw its influence toward a better order of things there, and wrested control of the settlement from those who were misusing their power. It was in that time Ashlock was in his palmiest days. He once was held by a coroner jury, and later indicted by a grand jury for murdering a foreigner in the early days of Wood River. His influence in Wood River was a powerful element in securing his release. Important witnesses to the killing disappeared, and the state dropped the case against Ashlock. Prior to that he had killed at least one other man up in Greene county. He had a career that was marked with all the characteristics of that of a border chief in the wild western days. Many stories are told of his strength of will, and even on his dying bed, a friend related, Ashlock became dissatisfied with the course of one to whom he was to leave some of his property, and at the point of a revolver the dying man insisted that restitution be made. Ashlock was sick many times, seemingly to the point of death, but he rallied each time. The last illness was about three months duration. It was during the early days when Ashlock was so active. In those days there was intense rivalry between the officials of the two villages, Benbow and Wood River. Robert Baird, at that time village marshal of Benbow, shot Parke Ashlock and fled the country, but returned not long ago and made restitution to A. E. Benbow for all the expense Benbow had been put to in his behalf. Following the shooting of Parke Ashlock and the escape of Baird, the officials of the two villages met in a saloon, had an official hatchet burying, and from that time forth there was less trouble. When the old man, Justice Ashlock, was dying, he sent for the former police magistrate of Benbow City, Justice Bufe, to execute some papers which he found it necessary, on his death bed to execute, after he had resorted to his revolver as a persuasive power to induce signatures he thought ought to be put down on papers he proposed to have signed before he died. Prior to his death Ashlock had divided his property between his housekeeper and his son. Ashlock's wife died 20 years ago. He leaves only one son, J. Ashlock, of Kane, Ill. The body was taken in charge by Undertaker C. N. Streeper. Dr. Ashlock once gained considerable prominence by making his residence in a saloon refrigerator. He also had his office there, and administered justice from the inside of the refrigerator. He permitted a motion picture company to take pictures of his ice box court, and the pictures were shown all over the country. Later on, the ice box was claimed by a brewery which ousted him from it after legal proceedings. He occupied the ice box as a temporary home and office when the house he owned in Wood River was destroyed by fire. *****************************************
ASHLOCK, JOHN N./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28, 1911 John N. Ashlock, a resident of Alton the greater part of his life, died at his home on Alby street Saturday morning from an illness which began with an attack of the grippe and developed into pneumonia. He had been ill since Thanksgiving day at his residence on Alby street. He followed the occupation of a gardener, living on the old Hardy place. He was born near Alton and he lived in Alton all his life, except a time when he was in Kansas twenty-one years ago. He leaves his wife and four children, Alvin Ashlock of Washington, D. C.; Norman Ashlock of Aspen, Colorado; Mrs. E. P. Soper of St. Louis; Mrs. William McMillen of Cremona, Canada. He leaves also one brother, Captain William Ashlock of Alton; and three sisters, Mrs. Hiram Foster of Independence, Kansas; Mrs. H. Rammes of Fosterburg; Mrs. M. Voyles of Alton. He was a cousin of Captain J. N. Ashlock of the night police who bears the same name. ******************************************
ASHLOCK, JOHN N. (CAPTAIN)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 23, 1923 John N. Ashlock, old soldier, former captain of the Alton night police, and for many years a well known resident of Alton, died this morning at 4 o'clock at his residence, 208 Danforth street, from pneumonia. He was in his eighty-fourth year. The death of Capt. Ashlock followed a short illness. He had been in robust health up to the time he was taken sick. It was recognized from the beginning of his illness that he was in a very bad way and on Saturday evening he became very much worse and all hope of his recovery was given up, as he lapsed into unconsciousness. A general giving out of his bodily functions foreshadowed the near coming of the end. The passing of Capt. Ashlock removes a well known figure from Alton. He belonged to a family which had long lived in Alton. For many years he was engaged in the commission business here, buying and selling fruits, etc. He was appointed as captain of the night police by Mayor Brueggemann during one of his administrations and he continued in that capacity under Mayor Beall during his three terms of office. At that time a civil service ordinance had been enacted by the city council and the police department was under the civil service. During the whole of the civil service period he was captain of the night police. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he was one of the little group of the "old guard" which keeps up the traditions of that one time very numerous organization. He was regular in his attendance at all its meetings and was also one of a little group of old soldiers who held social gatherings in their hall on frequent occasions. Capt. Ashlock was a man known for his absolute honesty and integrity. He had many good friends in Alton who will regret to know of his death. He had been a member for many years in Piasa lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M. and for years was active in the work of that lodge, but of late years advancing age had made it necessary for him to be less faithful in his attendance there. Last Tuesday Capt. Ashlock undertook to dispose of some ashes on his place and he wheeled a wagon load of them in a wheelbarrow, a distance of about a block. It is supposed that this was too much for him, though he was accustomed to doing heavy work right along, and never felt any bad effects. Wednesday he was downtown at the Hippodrome and that night he was taken very ill with violent pains. His wife, who has been crippled since she was hurt in an auto accident in Chicago three years ago, managed to go to the home of her son, Claude, nearby, at 1 a.m. to call for help and assistance rendered them made him easier, but Friday he became much worse and never rallied. Capt. Ashlock was born in Greene county, but spent almost all of his life in and around Alton. He enlisted in the 61st regiment of Illinois Volunteers February 6, 1862, and served throughout the remainder of the Civil War. He was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, on April 6, 1862. He was promoted to sergeant after being wounded. He was born in May 5, 1839, and would have been 84 years of age his next birthday. He leaves one son and one daughter, U. N. Ashlock of St. Louis, Mrs. G. A. Metz of St. Louis (children by his first marriage to Julia Hawley), and two sons, G. H. and C. H. Ashlock, of this city (children by his second marriage). He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Carrie Stricker. Funeral arrangements will be announced tomorrow. *********************************************
ASHLOCK, PARKE E./Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 31, 1916 Former Mayor of Wood River Slain by Woman Parke E. Ashlock, first mayor of Wood River, was slain in a room at East St. Louis Friday morning at an early hour by Zella H. Fenton, known to the police as Frankie Howard. Ashlock died on the operating table shortly after the shooting. Ashlock was the son of Justice J. T. Ashlock of Wood River, whose turbulent career has filled many newspaper columns. The woman fired five bullets into the body of Ashlock. She was arrested shortly after the shooting and claimed she had killed Ashlock to save her own life. She said that he had beaten her and would have killed her but for the fact that she used her revolver first. An East St. Louis United Press dispatch says: "The shooting of Ashlock was the second one in which she had figured. On December 3, 1914, she shot and seriously wounded James Hendricks in a room here. Hendricks refused to prosecute the woman. Ashlock was 39, and was known to the police as a dangerous man. He had figured in several shooting affrays in East St. Louis. He was a member of the East Side gambling ring." The killing of Ashlock recalled the days when he was running the village of Wood River. He was representing an East St. Louis real estate firm selling lots in Wood River. Before the days when the employees in the Wood River refinery asserted their power and took hold of the village government. Ashlock ran a village government that was not much improved on that of Benbow City. It was during the days of the construction of the Wood River refinery. When men settled down in Wood River and the refinery was put in operation, Ashlock was superseded by men who were in favor of better things in the line of government. Ashlock was an attractive person. He was soft spoken, ordinarily, and made a pleasing impression, but when he had drink in him he was troublesome. He seldom returned to Wood River. He took an active part in defending his father, Justice Ashlock, when the father was indicted with another man for the murder of a foreigner, Ashlock claiming that as an officer of the law he ordered his aide in the killing to shoot the foreigner. Without the assistance rendered by the son, it is doubtful that Justice Ashlock would ever have gotten off in court, as the son worked indefatigably to defend the father. ******************************************
ASHLOCK, WILLIAM J. (CAPTAIN)/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 30, 1914 Well Known Fish Dealer Dies From Pneumonia William J. Ashock, well known as a dealer in fish at Alton, died Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from pneumonia. About February 1 he went to visit his sister, Mrs. Mary Foster, and while there he was taken sick. As soon as he was able he returned home, but never seemed entirely well and gradually grew worse until pneumonia developed and caused his death. Capt. Ashlock was born in Greene county March 12, 1839. With his parents he moved to the American bottoms when three years old. When a young man he engaged in farming near Fosterburg, and there was married to Laura B. Thompson, who died two years ago. To the couple were born three sons and two daughters, of whom one son, Harry L. Ashlock, and one daughter, Mrs. John Wright, survive. Capt. Ashlock moved in 1868 to what is known as Ashlock's pocket, this being located about two miles below the glass works. Boats at that time ran close to the Illinois shore where now is a farm and a house. There he engaged in the fishing business, which he followed up to the time of his death, a period of 46 years. Capt. Ashlock was a hunter, and in his early days he would frequently shoot a deer over on the Missouri shore and bring it home. Capt. Ashlock was a kindly, genial gentleman, a man it was pleasant to know, and there is general regret throughout Alton over his death. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home on Front street. *****************************************
ASTROTH, ANNA TERESA/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 27, 1923 Mrs. Anna Teresa Astroth, wife of Louis Astroth of 11?5 Union street, died at St. Joseph's Hospital Sunday night from the effects of blood poisoning, following an injury to her knee. Mrs. Astroth fell downstairs at her home and injured her knee cap last January 9, and the injury failed to heal. It became necessary to operate on her knee because of the gravity of complications which were developing, and the operation failed to give relief. Blood poisoning developed and she gradually grew worse until the illness terminated fatally. Mrs. Astroth was a daughter of Frank Van Schoelandt. She was born in Kansas City, Kan., and was 27 years of age. She came to Alton with her parents when she was five years of age and had lived here ever since. Beside her husband, she leaves two children, Helen aged 8, and Robert aged 6. She leaves four sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Rexford, Mrs. Lester Cray, Misses Nellie and Bertha Van Schoelandt; and one brother, Fred Van Schoelandt. The body was taken to the Streeper morgue and from there will be taken to the home Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be held from the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. O. W. Heggermeier will officiate. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. ******************************************
ASWEGE, DAVID/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 29, 1916 Saloon Keeper Falls Dead Behind Bar David Aswege, who was in the saloon business in the city of Alton for many years, dropped dead from heart disease this afternoon at 2 o'clock while tending bar in his own saloon at Second and Langdon streets. Mr. Aswege had been taking treatment for heart trouble for a long time. He knew that he was liable to just such an attack, and the attending physician said that owing to his own knowledge of the ailment of Mr. Aswege, and that he had frequently treated him for it, he hardly believed a coroner's inquiry would be necessary. Mr. Aswege conducted a saloon on Second street for a long time, and afterward opened a saloon on Belle street. He was a brother of Eilert Aswege. His own son, Henry Aswege, died recently. Witnesses of the death of Mr. Aswege said that the saloon man was standing behind the bar talking to some men in the saloon when he collapsed without warning and apparently he died instantly. Life was extinct when his physician was summoned. The body was taken in charge by Undertaker Bauer to prepare it for burial. The deceased had operated the saloon at Second and Langdon for only a short time. He disposed of his place on Belle street, and after a while he wanted to get into business again. After considerable difficulty he managed to secure a sufficient number of names to warrant the issuing of a license in his block. Mr. Aswege was in his seventy-fifth year, and so is his wife. He leaves besides his wife, two daughters: Mrs. LaBelle and Mrs. Adolph Hunt. *********************************************
ASWEGE, EILERT/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 20, 1911 Eilert Aswege, a well known resident of Alton, and for many years engaged in the saloon business, died at his home, Belle street near Fourth, after a long illness, Sunday morning at 7 o'clock. Mr. Aswege was 67 years of age and he had lived in Alton many years. He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Sophia Bose. Mr. Aswege had been in bad health several years. He had retired from the saloon business a number of years ago. In his younger days he was known as one of the biggest and most powerful men in the Altons. He owned considerable real estate formerly, but had disposed of most of it converting the realty holdings into cash. Mr. Aswege was born at Hanover, Germany, November 28, 1844, and was in his 67th year. He came to Alton December 13, 1866, and was married here November 28, 1867 to Miss Frances Loarts. He went into business in Alton in 1873 and retired fifteen years ago. His death was due to heart trouble. Mr. Aswege was known as a man of honest dealing, and of financial stability. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late home on Belle street, under the auspices of the German Benovolent society of which order he was a member. *********************************************
ASWEGE, FRANCES/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 29, 1923 Mrs. Frances Aswege, widow of Eilert V. Aswege, died yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock after a break down due to old age. She had been in good health until one week ago when she fell into what appeared to be a deep sleep, and she never came out of it. Mrs. Aswege's husband died twelve years ago. He was a prominent resident of Alton for many years, and an owner of real estate. She was born in Remels, Hanover, Germany, and would have been 82 years of age next November 11. She had lived in Alton close to sixty years, residing in the latter part of her life at 402 Belle street, until recently, when she was taken to the Nazareth Home where she could be given special care. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. Sophia A. Rose. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the home, 402 Belle street, and services will be conducted by Rev. O. W. Heggemeier of the Evangelical church. Burial will be in City cemetery. ***********************************************
ATTERBURY, ALEX/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 21, 1914 Lonely Man Found Dead in His Room The body of Alex Atterbury, aged 56, was discovered in a badly decomposed state, lying on the bed in one of the two basement rooms which he occupied in the building belonging to Mrs. Fannie Cowling at 727 Market street, shortly after noon today. The ghastly discovery was made by Mrs. Andrew Emerick and her thirteen year old daughter, Miss Fannie, who made an investigation when the smell of the decomposing body became so offensive, that they could not bear to live in the rooms above which they occupied. Mrs. Emerick said that none of the members of the family were able to sleep last night on account of the odor, but their suspicions were not aroused because the old man who lived alone was in the habit of going away at times and remaining away for several days without making explanation to anyone. When Miss Fannie came home from school she suggested an investigation of the rooms downstairs. The child and her mother peered through the screen and a torn place in the curtain and saw the old man lying on the bed. Then they telephoned to the police station and Coroner's Undertaker John Berner was sent for. Officer Joseph Uhle first reached the scene and kept all curious bystanders away from the place when Berner arriver he tried to get in and found that the door was locked. He borrowed a key from upstairs and found that the door was further latched inside. After breaking the latch by pushing against the door, he came to the conclusion that he would not move the body before disinfecting the place, and sent for a supply of formaldehyde, which he used. He left Officer Uhle to guard the body until he returned for it later. The body was lying in a straight position on the bed, fully dressed, and there was nothing to indicate that the man's death had been caused by anything else but illness. On a table in the rooms were letters and a lot of books, among them being a family Bible. It is believed that he was taken suddenly ill Sunday night and died without being able to call for help. He was last seen Sunday evening when he went uptown and returned with a loaf of bread. Atterbury lived alone and batched in the two rooms which he had occupied for two years. For some time he had been out of a job and had been inquiring about work, but he did not seem to find any. His wife died five years ago. Atterbury had seven sons whom he often visited, but their names were not known by the family living upstairs. After examining the body, deputy Coroner John Berner told a reporter for the Telegraph this afternoon that it would be next to impossible to discover whether or not he committed suicide. It has been learned that he has two sons in Carlinville, William and Jud Atterberry, and they have been informed of their father's death. **********************************************
ATWATER, JOSHUA/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 10, 1870/Submitted by Jane Denny
The subject of this sketch died in
Edwardsville on the 6 inst., in the 94 year of his age. At the time
of his death, Mr. Atwater was probably the oldest citizen of Madison
County, if not the oldest of the State, having emigrated from
Westfield, Mass., his native town, to Illinois, in the year 1801. In
1807 he taught the first public school in St. Clair County. In 1809
he organized the first charitable institution in Illinois, to the
constitution of which his name appears as the largest quarterly
contributor: although at that time not worth fifty dollars. In 1824
Mr. Atwater entered actively into the effort against the
establishment of slavery in this State, and with Lippincot,
Churchill, and other leading men of this county, did good service in
the cause of freedom. In politics he was a Whig, and since 1860
acted with the Republican party, but never was a partisan, nor
entered into party strife. In the year 1809 he made a profession of
religion, and united with the Methodist Church, and lived a long
life of Christian conduct securing the confidence of all who knew
him. A man of great kindness of heart, he dispensed an extraordinary
and generous hospitality for very many years. He was a man of much
more than ordinary strength of mind, and had to a remarkable degree
the power of correctly understanding human character. A man of good
business habits, extraordinary punctually and a truly honest man
[sic]. An incident in business matters will show this trait of
character. In 1810, a merchant in St. Louis, by the name of
Phillipron, brought on a lot of tin-plate amounting to $500. Mr.
Atwater had a desire to get the plate to manufacture into ware, but
had neither money or credit to get it. He went to one Robert
McMahon, and agreed with him that if he would recommend him to the
merchant, so that he could get the plate on six months credit, he
would give McMahon one-half the amount of profit derived from the
sale of the ware. Before the six months had expired, Mr. Atwater
paid for the plate and paid McMahon $496.75 as his part of the
profit, having kept a strict account of every article made and sold.
In the death of this aged and venerable pioneer and Christian
gentleman, Edwardsville has lost its oldest citizen, the church its
most faithful and liberal member, his children a father greatly
beloved, and the community an example of integrity and virtue.
ATWOOD, HENRY/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Wednesday, March 29, 1933 The death of Henry Atwood of 3997 Alby street, it was determined by the jury at an inquest conducted Tuesday afternoon by Deputy Coroner Klunk, was the result of an accidental injury which he suffered a week previous when he fell near his home while carrying a heavy automobile part. The jury was told by witnesses that Atwood had been carrying the piece of machinery on his shoulder when he stumbled and fell, and suffered a blow on the back of his neck and head. He did not regard the injury as of serious consequence, but the following day his injury became worse, and on the next day the attending physician had him moved to St. Joseph's Hospital. The finding of the jury was that he suffered concussion of the brain from the blow near the base of the skull, and possibly a fracture as well. The death of Atwood occurred at 4 p.m. last Monday. Funeral services were held at 1:30 this afternoon from the Bauer and Hoehn funeral home to City Cemetery. ************************************************
ATWOOD, PEARL/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 19, 1914 Mrs. Pearl Atwood, wife of David Atwood, died from typhoid pneumonia, aged 23. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bell of Alton. The family came here from Louisiana, Mo., and the deceased leaves her parents, five sisters, and one brother. Funeral arrangements have not been made. **************************************************
AUSTIN, RAYMOND/Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 17, 1919 Boy Killed by Speeding Automobile Speeding of an automobile on the State road at Sering place is the cause of sunny Raymond Austin, in his fourteenth year, being a mangled corpse in the home on Prospect street in Milton Heights. The only witness of the tragedy so far known is the eight year old brother, Nolan, who escaped injury when the speeding automobile swung clear off the road and hit Raymond Austin where he was standing, three feet to the side of the paving. Picking up the boy on the radiator, the automobile hurled him to the other side against and under another automobile that was passing at the time. Neither automobile halted, but sped on down the road at furious speed, leaving Raymond Austin lying in a pool of blood on the bricks, his neck broken, his skull fractured, his thigh on one side and his leg on the other broken. Death was instant. The death of the Austin boy has produced the wildest indignation in the Milton Heights neighborhood. He was a bright, intelligent young boy, and had passed his thirteenth birthday the fourth of November. He was everybody's friend in the neighborhood and he was generally known as "Sunshine," because of his sunny disposition. He was making good progress in the school, had a most loveable disposition, and was a strong, sturdy boy, always ready to help anybody, and always with a smile on his face. Sunday morning he had started with his eight year old brother, Nolan, to go over to Duck Lake to see some friends. Seeing the automobile racing along the state road, the two boys hurried across the road to get to a place of safety. They had reached the other side of the road and were standing about three feet beyond the line of the paving when the automobile swung in the dirt, and struck the older boy. The little fellow said his brother was snapped over on top the radiator where he hung an instant, then was propelled against another car which ran over him. The body was picked up and taken in charge by Deputy Coroner Bauer, who held an inquest Sunday afternoon. The jury returned an open verdict and pending further inquiry into the accident, the jury will not be discharged. The police department and the coroner are trying to find out who the drivers of the two cars were. The little boy who saw the accident can give no description of the cars at all, but he thinks one was a Ford. The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday from the home, and burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. ****************************************************
AX, MARGARET/Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 30, 1897
Mrs. Margaret Ax died yesterday evening
at half past four o'clock at the age of 79 years, 8 months and four
days. She had been sick nine months, suffering with dropsy and other
ailments incident to her advanced age. The funeral will take place
tomorrow morning at 8:30 o'clock from her home in lowertown.
Services will be conducted at St. Boniface's church by Rev. Fr.
Joseph D. Metzler. The remains will be interred in the Catholic
cemetery. The pallbearers will be: Frank Beck, William Stasney, A.
Oestrich, John Bonn, John Michel and William Sido. Margaret Ax was
born November 25, 1818 at Aden Leimbach, Kreis Adnau, Rhine
Province, Germany. She was twice married, first to Mathias Theisen,
in 1853, in Germany. They came to America in 1856, taking up their
residence in Edwardsville the same year. The husband died a year
later. The union was blessed with two children, both of whom died.
In 1858 the widow married Joseph Ax. Two children were born to this
union, only one, Albertine, wife of Joseph Miller, surviving. Mrs.
Ax was an aunt of John Ax, superintendent of the Wonderly mine. She
was a continuous resident of this city for 41 years and made many
friends who sympathize with the surviving daughter. |
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