Obituaries - Cu
Wm. Cumbrick, a well-to-do farmer living
near Carrollton, committed suicide on Sunday last by taking
paris green. No reasons can be assigned for the act.
[Jerseyville Republican 1868]
Clara M. Cummings, 97, fomerly of Greene
County, died at 12:45 a.m. Sunday, January 3, 1988, at Jersey
Community Hospital, Jerseyville. Born in Greene County, she was
the daughter of the late Charles and Mary E. Price Walter. She
married Ornan Cummings on October 25, 1911. He died in 1965.
Surviving are six daughters, Jessie Sponsler of Tuscolla, Ill.,
Geraldine Krauschaar of Eldred, Wilma Thorton of Greenfield,
Viola McCormick of Mulberry Grove, Mabel Rutherford of Rock
Falls, Ill., and Imogene Cook of Propletown, Ill., two sons;
Howard Cummings of Delhi and Ornan Cummings of Rock Falls;
several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great
grandchildren; and a brother Charles Walter of Eldred. She was
preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, two sons, a
daughter, a grandchild, a great grandchild, and a great-great
grandchild. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at Airsman-Hires
Funeral Home in Carrollton, where services will be conducted at
2 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. Daniel Meade. Burial will be in
Borlin Cemetery near Carrollton. Memorials may be given to the
American Cancer Society.
Funeral rites for Mrs. Cora E. Cummings, 91,
of Dow were held Monday afternoon, December 31, from Gubser
Funeral Home with interment in the Newbern Cemetery. Stanley
Strissel, Salvation Army captain from St. Louis, officiated. Her
death occurred at 5:30 p.m. on December 27 at Garnet's Nursing
Home. She was born March 18, 1882 in Carrollton the daughter of
Charles and Sophia Briney Drumh. Survivors are four sons, Alfred
Cummings of Godfrey, Charles, Chester, and George of Dow; two
daughters, Mrs. Pearl Gibson of St. Louis and Mrs. Isabelle
Stage of Nachez, Wash.; two sisters, Mrs. Ida [remainder of
article unavailable] (1974)
The funeral of Mrs. Harriet George Ann Cummings,
58, of R. 2 Godfrey will be held at 2 p.m. May 31 at Jacoby
Bros. Funeral Home with burial in the Newbern Cemetery. She died
at 5:20 a.m. May 29 at the Missouri Baptist Hospital in St.
Louis. She was born May 22, 1919, in Greene County, the daughter
of Carrol P. and Bertha Ann Cone Ladd. Her survivors are her
husband, Theodore Alfred Cummings of R. 3, Edwardsville; two
brothers, Charles Ladd of Stockton, Calif. and Arnold Ladd of
Cottage Hill; one sister, Mrs. Josephine Long of Monticello, two
grandchildren. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the
funeral home. (1978)
Funeral rites were held at the Gubser Funeral Home Tuesday
afternoon, April 25, at two o'clock for Henry Cummings
whose death occurred Friday morning, April 21, at his home in
Jerseyville. Reverend Louis Kappler conducted the services and
interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery. Mr. Cummings was the son of
the late William and Sarah Cummings. He was seventy-eight years
old. Surviving him is one son, Leo of Seattle, Wash., three
brothers, John of Jerseyville, Jake of Alton and William of
Waterloo, Iowa, and a sister, Mrs. Fred Linker of Carrollton.
(1950)
John Thomas Cummings of Jerseyville died at
his home at 717 Hickory Street at three-fifty o'clock Thursday
morning, November 11. Although he had not been feeling well his
death was unexpected. Mr. Cummings was a son of the late William
and Sarah Nelson Cummings, and was born in Greene County, May 4,
1877. His age at the time of death was seventy-seven years, six
months, and seven days. The deceased is survived by his wife
Mrs. Zada Cummings; three sons, Elmer and Truman Cummings of
Jerseyville and Jasper Cummings of Harrison, Indiana; two
daughters, Mrs. Alice Lyles and Mrs. Effie Pummill of
Jerseyville; two brothers, Jacob Cummings of Alton and William
Cummings of Waterloo, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren and nine
great grandchildren. One son, Raymond and two daughters, Mrs.
Raymond Bates and Lucille Cummings preceded him in death.
Friends may call at Jacoby Brothers Funeral Home where services
will be held at two o'clock Saturday afternoon, November 13.
Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. (1954)
Thomas Cummings born in the American Bottom,
entered his first 80 acres nearly a mile SW of the main road
from Jerseyville to Alton in 1824, adding another in 1828 and in
1833 he entered the east half of SW quarter of section 2, Twn.
7, range 11 and built on the west side of what is now called
State Road. This was first on Alton road this side of the Piasa
Creek, and built a small cabin on the end of the 80 on which A.
Davis lived, until the road entered the timber of where Old Kane
is now located. Consequently Mr. Cummings and his noble wife
were of necessity compelled to entertain wayfarers passing from
the cities and older counties south of them in search of homes
on the sparsely settled prairies. No person can relate that any
traveler was ever turned away, or deprived of sharing shelter,
fare and fire with Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, whether they had or
not money to pay in return. No one that ever knew the worthy
pair (one of whom God leaves with us yet) could ever believe the
griping selfishness abode with either. Even a stranger, at the
first glance of the eye, taking in its vision that opened and
benevolent countenance of Thomas Cummings would have impressed
on the mind, there is a man that would divide with his fellows
his meal, yes, if necessary give all, and grow fat and more
cheerful between that and the nest, by the pleasing reflection
coming up now and again in his mind, that he had relieved one in
distress. The countenance of every child this worthy citizen has
left around us, bespeakes this noble feature of their parents.
When our county was set apart from Greene, and in its first
organization, Mr. Cummings, in 1839 was elected one of the three
county commissioners. He represented this county in 1848 in the
Legislature of our State, he died in 1856 at his residence, now
occupied by his worthy widow, leaving a large and valuable
estate to his heirs, the real estate being mostly bought of the
government form 1824 to 1837. Written by a citizen.
Thomas Jefferson Cummings, 85 year-old
resident of Jerseyville, died Wednesday afternoon, August 26, at
5:45 o'clock at the Watson Funeral Home in this city. The aged
man was a retired employee of the Steel Mill in Alton. He was a
son of the late Marion and Caroline Brannen Cummings and was
born in Greene County on January 18, 1868. His age at the time
of death was eighty-five years, seven months and eight days. Mr.
Cummings is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Rufus Cusic of
Brighton; three sons, Davis LeRoy Cummings of Wood River, Lloyd
L. Cummings of Alton and George Cummings of Altadina,
California; one brother, Marion Cummings of Alton and one
sister, Mrs. Lillie Smith of Alton. He also leaves sixteen
grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. The body is at Jacoby
Brothers Funeral Home where friends may call after 4 p.m. today
(Thursday) until noon Friday, then at the Alton Gospel
Tabernacle. Final rites will be held at the Alton Gospel
Tabernacle in Alton, Friday afternoon, August 28, at two
o'clock. Reverend Melvin D. Clain of Jerseyville will officiate
at the services and burial will be in the Upper Alton Cemetery.
(1953)
Final rites for Mrs. Alma Theresa Cunningham
of this city were held at the Holy Ghost Church with Requiem
Mass celebrated by Rev. Robert Heintz. Burial was in the St.
Francis Cemetery. Visitation hours were held at Jacoby Brothers
Funeral Home where the Rosary was recited on Friday evening. The
death of Mrs. Cunningham occurred Thursday morning at 5:50
o'clock at Jersey Community Hospital where she had been a
patient for three days. Mrs. Cunningham's health had been
impaired for sometime. Until recently she held a secretarial
position with the Jerseyville Mutual Fire Insurance Company. She
was a daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Wagner Kleffner
and was born September 28, 1908, at Godfrey. Her age was 61
years and 8 months. Mrs. Cunningham, widow of Maurice
Cunningham, is survived by two sons, Donald Cunningham of
Roodhouse and Paul Cunningham of Jerseyville, one daughter, Mrs.
George (Marilyn) Medford of Godfrey, fourteen grandchildren, one
brother, John Kleffner of Jerseyville, and three sisters, Miss
Catherine Kleffner of Jerseyville, Miss Josephine Kleffner and
Sister Gualbert of the Notre Dame Order, of St. Louis. She was
preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter, two
sisters and two brothers. (May 28, 1970, Burial May 30, 1970)
Mrs. Celist Wilba Cunningham, wife of Levis
Cunningham, died suddenly Thursday afternoon, January 27, at
3:30 o'clock. Mrs. Cunningham, who resides on Route One, east of
Jerseyville was stricken ill at her home. She was pronounced
dead on arrival at the Jerseyville Community Hospital. Final
rites were held at the Bethel Baptist Church Sunday afternoon,
January 30, at two o'clock. Rev. Ray Snow, pastor of the Bethel
Church of which Mrs. Cunningham was a member and Rev. Wm. Greet
conducted the rites and interment was in the Kane Cemetery. She
was a daughter of the late Jerome Hildred and Mrs. Lora
Baldridge Hildred and was born in Rosedale Township, Jersey
County on April 23, 1903. At the time of death she was aged 62
years, 9 months and 4 days. Surviving her in addition to her
husband and mother are two daughters, Mrs. Robert Krause of
Jerseyville, and Mrs. Lewis Ruyle of Medora; two sons, LeRoy
Cunningham of Tularosa, New Mexico, and Jay M. Cunningham of
Alton; two grandchildren; one brother, Henry Hildred of
Jerseyville, and one sister, Mrs. Etta Hutchinson of Fort
Collins, Colorado. One daughter, Wilba preceded her in death.
(1965)
Final services for Mrs. Elsie A. Cunningham,
62, of 701 Page St., Jerseyville will be conducted tomorrow
afternoon, July 18, at 2 p.m. from the Jacoby Funeral Home. The
Rev. L. E. Hutchinson will officiate. Interment will be in Oak
Grove Cemetery. Her death occurred at 2:55 a.m. on July 15 at
the Jersey Community Hospital. She was born August 7, 1912 in
Greene County, a daughter of John C. and Effie Berger Winters.
Mrs. Cunningham was a member of the State Street Baptist Church.
Her survivors include her husband, James L. Cunningham; four
sons, James C. Cunningham of Spotsylvania, Va., Robert L. and
Kenneth E. Cunningham of Jerseyville and Lt. Wilbur L.
Cunningham, San Diego, Calif., one daughter, Mrs. Paul (Joy V.)
Vice of Belle Fourche, S. D.; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Warren
(Eileen) Pence of Palmyra; twenty-one grandchildren; five great
grandchildren; two brothers, Charles R. Winters of Auburn, and
Roy Winters of Middleton, Mo.; three sisters, Mrs. Lester
(Celia) Edward, Mrs. Hilda Mohr and Mrs. Frank (Dimple) Corbett
of Springfield. Her father, two brothers, one son and daughter
preceded her in death. The family designated the building fund
of the State Street Baptist Church as a memorial. (1975)
Services were held at the Warner-Targhetta Funeral Home in
Medora on January 4 for Harry (Mike) Cunningham,
76, of Fidelity with burial in the Witt Cemetery, Rockbridge. He
died at 1:40 p.m. on January 1 at Boyd Memorial Hospital in
Carrollton. He was a telephone lineman for 47 years with Medora
Telephone Co. and General Telephone Co. before retiring. He is
survived by five sons, Harry of Summerville, Marion of East
Alton, Larry of Brighton, Donald and Robert both of Fidelity;
eight daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Cope of Staunton, Mrs. Bernice
Buck and Mrs. Nellie Taylor, both of Medora, Mrs. Helen Goodman
and Mrs. Wanda Wallace, both of Fidelity, Mrs. Doris Shae of
Moro, Mrs. Moreland of Chesterfield; a sister, Mrs. Linera
Corbin of Perryville, Ohio; fifty-seven grandchildren and
sixteen great grandchildren. His wife, the former Grace Meredith
died in 1972. (1977)
J. O. Cunningham died at the St. Louis
hospital Wednesday morning following an operation several days
ago for cancer of the liver.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed as we go to press
but the funeral will be held at Patterson.
Cunningham had been a resident of Jerseyville for a number of
years since his marriage to Mrs. Leslie Crese. He was identified
with the livestock business interests of East St. Louis where he
was quite prominent.
Twenty Year Ago - Luman C. Cunningham died
at his home in Wrights where he was engaged in the barber
business. He was aged 59 years and a wife and two children
survived. [01 Oct 1948]
Mrs. Nancy Cunningham born January 27, 1844
in Davy, Co. N. C. married Reuben W. Cunningham in 1863 to which
union six children were born, two preceding her in death, Lizzie
aged two and John thirty-four years. Mrs. Cunningham died at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. John Mohr, six miles east of Kane,
she was 71 years old. Funeral services were held May 3 with Rev.
T. J. Roady officiating. She leaves two sons; Philip of Fidelity
and James M. of Kane, two daughters; Mrs. Sarah J. Mohr of
Hampton, LA and Mrs. Laura Mohr of Kane, twenty-three
grandchildren, five great grandchildren, one brother Z. L.
Gaither of Jerseyville. (May 1915)
Funeral services for William Levis Cunningham,
75, of R. R. 1, Jerseyville were held Monday afternoon, November
25, at the Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Earl Clagg
officiating. His death occurred at 12:55 a.m. on November 23 at
Greenwood Manor. Burial was in Kane Cemetery. He was born
September 10, 1899 in Greene County, a son of James M. and Sarah
Grizzle Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was self-employed at
Cunningham Bookkeeping, and was a member of the Bethel Baptist
Church. His wife, Verlie Freeman Cunningham died in 1971. His
first wife, the former Celista Hildred died in 1966. He is
survived by one son, Jay M. Cunningham of Bethalto; two
daughters, Mrs. Robert (Melba) Krause of Jerseyville and Mrs.
(rest of article missing).(1974)
Catherine Curran, 87, died at 10:40 a.m.
Monday, October 2, 1989, at Jersey Community Hospital,
Jerseyville. She taught elementary school in the Jersey
Community Unit School District No. 100 and St. Francis Xavier
School of Jerseyville. Born in Carrollton, she was the daughter
of the late Frank and Julia Keoghan McDonough. Preceding her in
death were her husband, Gus Curran; four sisters, Helen and
Sarah McDonough, Mary Browning and Julia Misgades; and a
brother, James McDonough. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Jacoby
Brothers Funeral Home in Jerseyville with a wake service at 7
p.m. A funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier
Catholic Church in Jerseyville with Rev. Henry Schmidt as
celebrant. Burial is in the church cemetery. Memorials may be
given to St. Francis Xavier School, Jerseyville, or masses.
James J. Curran, 63, of Alton, former
Jerseyville resident, died Thursday morning, August 28, at 9:30
o’clock at St. Anthony’s Infirmary in Alton where he had been a
patient for the past week. Mr. Curran had been in ill health
since November.
He was the son of the late John and Catherine Barron Curran and
was born February 23, 1878 in Jersey county. For several years
he engaged in the shoe business in Jerseyville in partnership
with the late William Powers. After disposing of his business,
Mr. Curran was employed as a salesman in the Fred Scheffer Shoe
Store. In recent years Mr. Curran has been a traveling shoe
salesman and had made his home in Alton for the past fifteen
years.
Surviving him are his widow, Mrs. Margaret Curran, and one
daughter, Miss Jane Curran of Alton; one sister, Mrs. John
Fitzpatrick of St. Louis and four nieces and four nephews.
Friends may call at his home, 600 Bond Street, Alton, until
eight o’clock Saturday morning. The body will be brought to
Jerseyville and funeral services will be held at 9 o’clock
Saturday morning at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Requiem High
Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Father J. J. Clancy and
interment will be in St. Francis Xavier’s Cemetery. [Jersey
County Democrat News 29 Aug 1941]
Died - At Otterville, March 10th of whooping cough,
Arthur [sic], infant child of Dr. Curtiss
of that place. [Jersey County Democrat 13 Mar 1869]
William D. Curtis, son of Hiram and Eliza A.
Curtis (nee Dougharty), was born January 18th, 1836 on the farm
now known as the Cadwallader farm, east of Otterville, and was
the eldest of six children, four sons and two daughters. In 1845
the family moved to Jo Daviess County in this state, where his
father engaged in mining and smelting lead ore; in which
business he continued until his death in 1850. Soon thereafter,
John G. Dougherty, a brother of the widow, erected a cottage
upon his home farm near Otterville and removed his sister and
her family to it, where they continued to reside until about
1855; William and his brothers assisting their uncle upon his
farm during the summers, and attending school at the “Stone
School House” during winters. In the year 1855 their Uncle John
bought the farm now owned and occupied by Wm. Dougherty at
Otterville, for the widow and her family, and assisted them in
commencing farming on their own account, William being the
older, taking the responsibility of leader. In the course of a
few years of earnest, diligent labor the farm was paid for, and
as the other children grew up and left the farm, William
purchased their interests, and thus became the owner of the
farm, whereon he resided until some years after his marriage. He
was a careful, intelligent, industrious farmer and business man,
and no person in the community stood higher in the esteem and
confidence of his neighbors than did he. After paying for his
home farm he bought the “Hull Farm” west of Otterville in 1873.
During all these years he had the advantages and influences of a
Christian home; his mother being an earnest and devoted member
of the Methodist Church, and a woman of a beautiful, gentle and
lovely Christian character, and whose pure life was a
benediction to her family and to the community in which she
dwelt. When he was in school he was a diligent student, and at
the age of 17, in the winter of 1852-53, he successfully taught
the Salem school in this county. At a political meeting in
Jerseyville in the presidential campaign of 1868, while the
Otterville Band, of which the subject of this sketch was a
member, were upon the awning in front of Leigh & Brinton’s
restaurant, the awning fell, and Mr. Curtis’ leg was badly
broken from which he suffered severely for many months and from
the effects of which he never recovered. In 1877 he was married
to Miss Sarah Dodson, his surviving widow, and leaves two
daughters--Misses Edna and Ethel, as the fruit of said marriage.
In 1883 he sold his home farm to William Dougherty, and removed
to Jerseyville. At this time he was out of debt and was worth
from $20,000 to $25,000. Later he purchased a farm near Abilene,
Kansas to which he removed his family and remained in Kansas for
about 7 years during which time he was induced to engage in the
“Milling Business” in Jerseyville, which venture proved
disastrous and his financial ruin. In 1891 he returned to
Jerseyville to try to save something from his investments here,
but in this he was unsuccessful. His entire fortune as well as
his physical health was irretrievably gone. His is a striking
example of a man of ample means and comfortably situated,
leaving a business in which he has been successful, and engaging
in enterprise of which he knows nothing, followed by the usual
results. After his return to Jerseyville, Bro. [Jersey Daily
Democrat 23 Mar 1906]
