"OBITUARIES"

Some time ago, I received copies of obituaries of my relatives. Evidently there were more than the ones I needed on the page when the copies were made. Consequently, I received obituaries of other people. This started me thinking about the fact that someone might be looking for these people also. So I've decided to share these obit's with you. Maybe someone will stumble across them and recognize the names. If I come across more, I'll add them.

Elihu Wright, for many years a well known citizen of Sycamore, died Dec. 21 in Oklahoma City, Okla., and the remains were brought to Genoa and interred in Charter Grove Cemetery after services in the Charter Grove Church on this Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Benjamin Riste, pastor of the Methodist Church in Sycamore officiated.

The cause of his death was dropsy.

Mr. Wright lived in this county from a youth, having been a resident here for half a century until he removed to Oklahoma 22 years ago. He was 72 years of age on September 26 last. For many years he was engaged in farming north of town, and for a number of years he also occupied the dwelling in this city on the corner which was recently purchased by the government for a post office site.

His wife and the following named eight children survive: Dell Wright, who resides between Sycamore and DeKalb; Judith and Lidia Paterson, both of Genoa; Melvin Wright of Oregon; Fred Wright of Wisconsin; George and Reuben Wright, both of Oklahoma. Three sisters and three brothers are also surviving: Frank and Wilbur Wright of Iowa; Ed Wright of Southern Illinois; Mrs. Jerry Brown of Genoa; Mrs. M. Johnson of Genoa; and Mrs. Sarah Davis of Iowa.

Sycamore True Republican / December 25, 1912

Mr. John Lindahl died at his home three miles northwest of Sycamore last Friday, August 23, after a sickness of several months.

Mr. Lindahl was born in Mellby, Blekinge, Sweden, September 9, 1837, and came to the United States in 1864. The same year he enlisted in Co. F., 147th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and served until the end of the war. He was a member of the G.A.R.

Mr. Lindahl was married on October 5, 1868, to Elsie O. Matson, who died July 29, 1903. Shortly after his marriage he and his wife made a tour through Minnesota, but soon returned and settled on the farm where the family ever since resided.

Mr. Lindahl was a good father and a respected citizen. He was a charter member of the Salem Lutheran Church. To the Lindahl's were born 14 children, of whom eight survive, as follows: Mrs. Rudolph Lindstrom of Alberta, Can.; Mrs. William Swanson and Mrs. William Gronberg of New Rockford, N.D.; Mrs. Raymond Crawford of Genoa, Ill.; Mrs. Frank Swanson of Sycamore, Ill.; John, Daisy and Gertrude, who are at home; also three grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Anna Olston of Chicago, and a brother in Sweden, besides many other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held from the Salem Lutheran Church on Sunday afternoon. The interment was in the family lot in Elmwood Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Albert Okerstrom officiated.

Sycamore True Republican / August 28, 1912

Mrs. Nellie Quinn McKee, 58, of Kirland died 1:15 o'clock today at her home after an illness of two years. She and her husband had made their home on a farm near Kirkland for the past ten years.

Mrs. McKee was born November 23, 1876 in South Grove township, to Michael Quinn and Mary McCarthy, who came to this country from County Clare, Ireland.

On May 6, 1925 she was married to John McKee at Crown Point, Ind., and the couple then moved to Kingston township, where her husband engaged in farming. She was a member of the Catholic church of Kirkland.

Surviving her are her husband, John McKee, and three sisters, Mrs. Dan McGowan, Mrs. William Bremer, Mrs. Thomas O'Rourke, all of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two brothers preceded her in death. There were no children.

Funeral services were only tentative today, but was expected to be held Friday with the Father W.M. McGuire of Genoa officiating. Interment will be in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery here in Sycamore.

Sycamore Tribune / April 3, 1935

Sylvester Ruthledge passed away yesterday afternoon at four o'clock at the home of his niece Mrs. Harry Coles of Clare.

Mr. Ruthledge was born April 12, 1863 in South Grove and succumbed following an illness since last November. His parents, Patrick Ruthledge and Mary Hayes came to this country from Ireland and were old settlers in South Grove. As a young man Mr. Ruthledge went West and for thirty years he was engaged in farming at Grand Island, Nebr. He never married, and has been making his home at the home of his niece, Mrs. Cole since last June.

Surviving are his brother and sisters as follows: Mrs. Albert theiss and Mrs. M.J. Wheeler, of Chicago; Mrs. James Ryan, Sycamore; Miss Helen and Miss Jane Ruthledge of Chicago; Miss Mary Ruthledge of Sycamore and James Ruthledge of DeKalb and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral rites will be held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Mary's Church in Sycamore with Rev. P.S. Masterson officiating. The burial will be made in Mt. Carmel.

Sycamore Tribune

Mrs. Harold Hooker of Sycamore, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Kempson of east of town, Mrs. Jura Scott from Elgin and Mrs. Mason Hooker of DeKalb went to Rockford on Wednesday to attend the funeral of a cousin, Mrs. Jessie Forde, former Sycamore resident many years ago.

The services were held at the Burpee-Wood Funeral Home with Dr. John Gordon, pastor of the Second Congregational Church, officiating. The decedent passed away Monday evening in Urbana, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H.J. VanCleave, where she had gone to visit. She had been in ill health for several years.

Jessie Lydia Corey, daughter of Julius and Mary Rich Corey, was born on March 3, 1862 at South Grove. She received her elementary education in South Grove, later attending the Sycamore High School. Until her retirement 12 years ago, she was one of Rockford's most popular public school teachers and principals. Her home has been in Rockford for the past 27 years.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Ernest Sandall, formerly of Genoa, now of Yorkville, and Mrs. Van Cleave of Urbana, also a granddaughter, Mrs. Henry Carlson, who resides in Sycamore.

Sycamore True Republican / November 5, 1943

I certainly hope these obits find a useful and welcome home. If you have obits you'd like to share with others, feel free to send them to me via e-mail and I'll include them (along with your e-mail address so people can get in touch with you). Please put the word "obit" in the subject line of your e-mail. Thank you.