GAR Obituaries from Adams to Austin

Beman M. Adams

"B.M. Adams Dead,"
The Elgin Advocate, July 27, 1895, p. 8.
Two Strokes of Paralysis Sustained.
Passes Away Wednesday Night--
Funeral in Charge of Veterans.

The familiar figure of Beman M. Adams will be seen no more, because death has claimed him. On Sunday he was stricken with paralysis and rendered well nigh helpless, being able only to sit in his chair and move his fingers. On Tuesday afternoon he suffered another stroke, and from that time it was apparent his end was near. At 10:10 o'clock Wednesday night he passed away.

Mr. Adams was born at Attica, Wyoming county, New York, May 15, 1823. Therefore he was in his 73d year. In 1841 he came west and settled in Kane county. Ever since then until two years ago his home had been in Plato, although his postoffice was Udina. Two years ago he moved to this city, and lived at 1223 Larkin avenue. During the late war he served as a drummer in the 36th Illinois regiment, and made a good record. Since then he was always willing to take part in reunions and gatherings of the old boys in blue or of pioneers of this section, and his drum and himself were at the disposal of his friends. He was universally respected. He leaves a widow, three daughters, and a brother, who is expected to arrive from Indiana. His daughters are Mrs. Henry Hamlin of 533 Hill avenue, Mrs. Samuel Robinson of 209 Milwaukee street, and Mrs. May Walbrige, whose home is in California, but who is now in Elgin.

The funeral was held at the house on Friday at 2 o'clock and the burial took place in Udina. Veteran post, G.A.R., had charge of the services.

William V. Adams

"Obituary,"
The Elgin Daily News, July 22, 1918, p. 3

William V. Adams, 363 Chicago street, veteran of the civil war and a member of Co. I, 127 Regiment, died Saturday afternoon at his home. He had been ill for many weeks.

The deceased was born in 1841 in Canada and came to the United States when about four years of age.

He is survived by his wife. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday from the Wait and Ross chapel Rev. F.E.R. Miller of the First Baptist church officiating. Burial will be in Bluff City cemetery.

Friends are asked to omit flowers street. He had been ill two months.

Charles E. Ahle

"Obituary,"
The Elgin Daily News, October 5, 1918, p. 3.

Charles E. Ahle, an employee of the watch factory for the past forty-nine years and a prominent civil war veteran, died this morning at 12:30 o'clock at his home, 389 North Crystal

The deceased was born at Sandy Creek, Oswego county, New York, November 24, 1847, and lived there until he was six years old, then coming to Bloomingdale with his parents and later to Elgin. He was married to Miss Ada Heath of Elgin December 24, 1876. He had made his home at 389 North Crystal street since 1863.

A member of Company C, 141st Illinois volunteers, he fought during the civil war. He was a member of Monitor lodge No. 532 A.F. and A.M. and of Veteran post G.A.R., which will have joint charge of the funeral services.

Besides his wife, two children survive: Mrs. B.J. Still of Rockwell, Ia., and Charles H. Ahle of San Francisco, Cal., and the following brothers and sisters: Joseph and John Ahle of Crivitz, Wis., Mrs. Hilda Smart of Chicago and Harry Ahle and Mrs. Mary Campbell of Elgin.

The funeral will be held at the Norris Chapel at 2:30 o'clock Monday with burial at Bluff City cemetery.

Monitor lodge will assemble at 2 o'clock at the Temple to attend the funeral

Albert F. Alden

"A.F. Alden Dies After Illness of Five Weeks,"
The Elgin Courier-News, July 23, 1926, p. 1.

Deceased Was One of Civil War's Youngest Soldiers.
Was Factory Foreman.
Patriotism an Outstanding Characteristic of Prominent Elginite.

Albert F. Alden, 78, Civil War veteran and past commander of Elgin Post, No. 49, G.A.R. died at Sherman hospital last night at 7:40 o'clock. Mr. Alden had been ill since last March and had been confined to Sherman hospital for the past five weeks.

Hardening of the arteries is attributed (sic) as the cause of death.

Idol of Children.

Mr. Alden, one of the youngest soldiers in the Civil War, had one outstanding characteristic and that was his patriotism and love for his country. Admired by adults throughout the city, the deceased was beloved by school children, who were delighted to see and hear him talk on Decoration Day. He steadily visited the Franklin school on Memorial Day and was the idol of all the children.

His remarkable patriotism was in evidence at all times.

"America" was one of his favorite songs and he sang the refrain in his bed in the hospital on the day before he died.

Enlisted at 13 Years.

Born in Waltham, Mass., on December 21, 1847, Mr. Alden attended the public schools of that city. He enlisted in the Civil War, when but a child 13 years and nine months old, serving in Company L, 24th regiment of Massachusetts. He spent four and one-half years in service, getting his first honorable discharge December 2, 1863, and re-enlisting a month later on January 1, 1864.

"He was always a gentleman and loved by all who knew him," a close friend of the deceased remarked.

Foreman at Watch Factory.

His ancestry is traced directly to John and Priscilla Alden.

He was married to Nellie C. Granger at Waltham, May 11, 1869, moving to Elgin in December 1878, and entering the employ of the Elgin National Watch company. He held a position as foreman until his retirement in 1913.

One interesting fact is that he had always resided at 60 Chicago street.

Mr. Alden is survived by his widow, two daughters, Mrs. L.H. Stohr of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mrs. George W. Glos of Elgin, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A brother, Charles Alden, of Alameda, Calif., also survives.

The deceased was honorary member of the Ladd Bible class of the First Methodist church.

Funeral Services Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at the Wait-Ross-Allanson funeral church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, with burial in the family lot at the Bluff City cemetery. Rev. J.B. Martin of the Methodist church will officiate. Members of the G.A.R. will attend in a body.

Pall bearers will be M.M. Cloudman, B.S. Pearsall, W.B. Kirkpatrick, Charles L. K(?), Joe Kreeger and O.H. Retche(?).

Edson K. Allen

"Death of Edson K. Allen,"
The Elgin Daily Courier, May 6, 1901, p. 4.

An Old and Well Known Citizen,
One of the First Settlers of Kane County

Edson K. Allen died Sunday evening at 6:30 o'clock, at his home, 113 South Liberty street.

Mr. Allen was born at West Sabin, Vermont, in 1831. When two years of age his parents removed to Hampshire, his father being the first white settler of Hampshire township.

Mr. Allen was a member of company H, 15th Illinois cavalry, and also served in company L, 10th Illinois cavalry, during the civil war.

In 1855 he married Miss Mary McClelland of Burlington, and in 1868 moved to Elgin. He held the offices of constable and deputy sheriff for eight years, and was a member of the volunteer fire department for many years. He was a mason by trade.

Fifteen years ago he removed to Chicago, and with his son, G.E., engaged in contracting work for six years. A year ago he returned to Elgin, where he had since made his home. Death resulted from a general breaking down.

A widow and two children, Mrs. B.L. Dodge and G.E. Allen of this city, survive him. He leaves also three brothers, Aaron of this city, John of Hampshire, and Charles, in California.

Veteran post, G.A.R., will have charge of the funeral, which will be held Tuesday, at 2 p.m. from the late residence.

Franklin A. Ames

"Obituary",
The Elgin Daily News, January 26, 1911, p. 3.

Franklin A. Ames, for thirty years a prominent merchant of Clinton, Wis., during which time he served several terms as mayor of the village, died at 10 o'clock last night at the family residence, 471 Spring street, aged 68 years.

Mr. Ames was born August 4, 1842, at Vershire, Vt., where he spent his boyhood. On November 17, 1868 he was married to Miss Caroline C. George. In 1873 they came west and located at Clinton, Wis., where Mr. Ames opened a general mercantile store, which he operated until 1908 when he and his wife moved to Elgin.

During his business career at Clinton, Mr. Ames took an active part in the village government. He held various public offices. He was a member of several fraternal organizations at Clinton and for a number of years was the worthy matron of the Masonic order, and the commander of the G.A.R. He was a member of Monitor lodge of Elgin.

Besides his widow, Mr. Ames is survived by three children, all of Elgin. They are: Ira F., wife of DeGoy B. Ellis, Lelia A., wife of William Horden and Daniel F. Ames. Two brothers and two sisters are other survivors.

The funeral services which will be in charge of Monitor lodge, will be held at the Masonic temple at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Andrew O. Apple

"A Brave Man Dead,"
The Elgin Daily News, June 7, 1890, p. 3.

Andrew O. Apple Passes Away This Forenoon,
After a Short Illness.

Andrew O. Apple, Elgin's fire marshall, died about 10:30 o'clock this forenoon of Bright's disease, after a comparatively short illness. Few knew he was sick until they read of it in yesterday's Daily News. He leaves a wife, daughter of Joseph Pabst, four daughters and three sons.

Andrew Apple was born in Pennsylvania January 30, 1845, and came to Illinois twenty-two years ago. He served with distinction in the war as a member of a Virginia regiment. After the blowing up of the fort at Petersburg, Va. he was one of the twenty-two men whom congress remembered for their exceptional bravery, by giving each a handsome gold medal. "Andy" felt very proud of this distinction, but his natural modesty prevented his mentioning it unless the matter was brought up by others.

He had been a fireman for many years. July 7, 1875, he joined the Excelsior Hose company organization independent of the city. April 28, 1877, he became a member of the city fire department. In 1878 and 1879 he was the second assistant fire marshall. In 1879 he was the first assistant. He was assistant under Marshal Parkin three or four years and under Marshall Schroeder seven years. May 14, 1889, he was appointed the fire marshall, holding the position at death. In all his capacities he proved a true man. In Veteran post No. 49, G.A.R., he was officer of the day.

The funeral will be held on Monday afternoon at 2:30 at the First Congregational church, at 2 at his late home 132 Spring street. The G.A.R. will conduct services at the grave in the old cemetery. The fire department and city council will attend. The engine house, west side hose house, and courthouse have been draped in mourning.

Fire Department Meeting.

There will be a meeting of the fire department this evening at 8 o'clock at the engine house to arrange for attending the funeral, etc.

The G.A.R.

Veteran post will, per order of Commander Beebe, assemble at Pythian hall at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon.

J. C. Applebee

J.C. Applebee

"Obituary",
The Elgin Daily News, September 26, 1924, p. 3.

J.C. Applebee, a Civil War Veteran, died yesterday at his home near Woodstock. He was born near Spring Lake, Ill., and was one of a family of twelve children.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church of Barrington. Burial will be at the Ever Green cemetery.

He moved to Woodstock from Elgin a little over a year ago after residing here for more than thirty-five years. Mr. Applebee was a retired farmer and made his home in this vicinity all his life.

He is survived by two sons, Levi of Woodstock, and Bert of Chicago and one daughter, Mrs. Alice Adams of Woodstock.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Methodist church at Barrington. Interment will be in Barrington.

Rev. W. D. Atchison

Rev. W.D. Atchison

"Rev. W.D. Atchison, Army Chaplain and M.E. Veteran, Dead,"
The Elgin Daily News, May 14, 1917, pp. 1, 2.

First Church Here Built During Pastorate;
Dedicated in 1868.

MARCH THROUGH GEORGIA
Oldest Member of Rock River Conference;
Served in Many Churches.

Rev. William Dowling Atchison, a member of the Rock River Methodist conference for more than sixty years and former pastor of the First church of Elgin, died at his home, 488 Columbia avenue, at 7 o'clock this morning.

His death was caused by infirmities due to advanced age. He was eighty-five years old.

Born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1832, he came to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, at the age of fourteen years. His early education was received in the public schools of that county. He was a graduate of the Mount Carroll seminary and Beloit college. For a short time before leaving college and for a while later he was engaged in teaching.

Started As Circuit Rider.

It was 1854 that he entered the ministry and joined the Rock River conference. He was the oldest member and also the oldest in time of service in the conference. His first appointment was to that of a circuit rider. With Barton H. Cartwright, father of Justice Cartwright, senior preacher, he had a circuit of about twenty meeting places.

His appointment to the First M.E. church here came in the autumn of 1865. He served the time limit of three years. It was during his last year here, in 1868, that the church structure was dedicated.

His charges in the order of service were: Savanna, Elizabeth, Belvidere, Elgin, Kankakee, Galena Boulevard church at Aurora, Oak Park, Waukegan, Fourth street church at Sterling, Princeton, Sycamore and Galena.

He retired from the active ministry in 1891. After quitting the Galena pastorate he moved to Elgin where he spent the last twenty-six years of his life. While on the retired list he served a four year chaplainship at the Elgin State hospital and also officiated at many funerals, weddings and other services.

Marched With Gen. Sherman.

As a chaplain for the old Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, Rev. Atchison marched from Atlanta to the sea with General Sherman. At civil war time he was extremely active in recruiting service and was instrumental in raising almost an entire regiment.

Because of his close association with war veterans and his membership in the Veteran Post No. 49, G.A.R., he was much in demand as a grand army speaker and delivered many Decoration day addresses.

He was a charter member of Monitor lodge, A.F. & A.M.

In 1855, a year after he entered the ministry, he married Miss Hannah Jane Cook, near Galena in Jo Daviess county. The sixty-second anniversary of their marriage was celebrated on January 5.

Besides his widow, Rev. Atchison is survived by four sons, Rev. Wilbur F. Atchison of Chicago, Rev. Hugh D. Atchison of Dubuque, Ia., Dr. George B. Atchison of Elgin and Prof. Robert H. Atchison of Highland Park college at Des Moines, Ia.; also one daughter Miss Florence Atchison of this city. There is also a half brother, Matthew Gault of Elizabeth.

The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the First M.E. church. Rev. F.D. Stone will be assisted by Dr. J.T. Ladd and Chicago pastors. Clergymen will act as pallbearers.

"Spoke Here First,"
The Elgin Daily Courier, June 1, 1903, p.

Rev. W.D. Atchison Elgin's Memorial Day
Orator Thirty-Five Years Ago.
WHERE MONUMENT STANDS
Was Then Fresh from the Scenes of Carnage--
Chaplain of the 45th Illinois.

Rev. W.D. Atchison, one of the prominent superannuates of Rock River conference, has the distinction of being the first Memorial day orator in Elgin.

On May 30, 1868, Mr. Atchison addressed a large assemblage on the site of the present soldiers' monument in Elgin cemetery and one year later spoke on the same spot. In both addresses he predicted that Elgin would erect a monument to its dead veterans of the great civil war.

The speaker, bring fresh from the scenes of carnage and battle along the line of Sherman's march to the sea, related many interesting incidents of the campaign. Many of Elgin's pioneers will recall these two addresses.

Dr. Atchison was chaplain of the Forty-fifth Illinois regiment and has been identified with the Methodist ministry for forty years. His last charge was at Galena. He was formerly chaplain at the Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane.

The subject of this sketch is the father of the following children: Rev. W.F. Atchison, Joliet; Rev. H.D. Atchison, Dubuque; Dr. George Atchison, Florence, John and Robert of this city.

"Love to Hear Him,"
The Elgin Daily Courier, August 29, 1904, p. 1.
Rev. W.D. Atchison's Many Friends Listen to His Discourses.
MUCH OF OLD TIME VIGOR.

Pastor of First M.E. Church Many Years Ago--
Fifty Years in the Ministry.

Fifty years in the ministry has not incapacitated Rev. William D. Atchison for active duty in the cause of the church when duty requires it. During the absence from the city of Rev. J.T. Ladd, pastor of the First Methodist church, the veteran preacher has continued the morning worship as heretofore, and three Sundays in succession has he succeeded in occupying the pulpit in spite of his advanced years. He has pleased a large congregation on each occasion.

From 1866 to 1869, inclusive, Dr. Atchison was pastor of the First Methodish church.

"Will you never retire from active work on behalf of the church?" asked a Courier scribe of him at the close of the Sunday morning services. "Well," said the white haired pastor, "there may come a time some day when I shall not be able to preach, but there has never been and never will come a time when I cannot pray.

"I have been actively engaged in the services of the Methodist church for fifty years," he stated, when questioned further. "This edifice was erected during my ministry in 1867. My last charge was at Galena. I now belong to the superannuated class of Methodist divines."

Two sons of the veteran minister have followed the calling of their sire, Rev. W.F. Atchison has a charge at Joliet and Rev. H.D. Atchison is pastor of St. Luke's Methodist church at Dubuque, Ia. A third son, Robert, graduated this year from Northwestern university, and says that if it comes to a last resort, he thinks he can preach a little, too.

"Our Hope" was the theme upon which Rev. Atchison discoursed Sunday morning before a large audience. "As the anchor is to the ship riding the seas in a gale and threatened with destruction on all sides, so is hope to the human soul," he said. "The anchored ship is saved from ruin upon the rocks, because it has a safe hold; the human being needs hope to keep it from destruction. The student poring over his books and working hard to improve his education and ability has hope in the future for success.

"This is an age of investigation, and whys and wherefores must be learned. We ascertain the reasons in the hope that they may be beneficial to us. In the future there is hope. Faith in the Christ induces hope and everything is therein. The Christian church has striven to rise to higher standards hopefully, and through the Christian church we obtain faith."

Lafayette Austin

"A Veteran Dead,"
The Elgin Daily News, January 6, 1900, p. 1.
Lafayette Austin, Member of the Seventeenth Cavalry.

Lafayette Austin, a veteran of the civil war, died Friday at 9:20 from cancer. He had been ill fourteen months. His age was 55 years, 3 months, and 12 days. When death came he was at the home of his relatives, 28 North Gifford street.

Mr. Austin was born at Richmond, McHenry county, Ill., Sept. 24, 1844. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in the 17th cavalry, rendering gallant service. He was a member of Veteran post, G.A.R. The post will attend the funeral, to be held Monday at 10:30 from the house; interment at Bluff City cemetery.

The deceased leaves a wife and the following sons, Wesley, Lester E. and Fred R., all of Elgin, and a daughter, Mrs. Marshall Knox, of Chicago.