Obituary

In Mt. Carroll, Ill., Aug. 19, 1886, Mrs. Geo. W. Davis, of Byron, Ill., of paralysis and heart disease. Aged 22 years, 7 months and 25 days.

The subject of this obituary was born in McConnellsburg, Penn., Dec. 25 1863. In August 1881 she came to Byron to make her home with her sister, Mrs. C. E. Grove. About one year after coming here she was taken down with inflamatory rheumatism and in checking the disease it went to her heart, causing heart trouble from which she was a great sufferer until the time of her death.

February 13, 1883 she was united in marriage to Geo. W. Davis, of Byron, and in October last she had a stroke of paralysis, from which she has been an invalid ever since. Not being confined to her bed all the time but at times could walk around with the aid of a cane.

July 31, she went to Mt. Carroll to visit her mother, Mrs. Sarah Smith and the change in leaving home appeared to improve her health for a few days but she had a relapse and grew worse and the last week of life she was confined to her bed.

She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in McConnellsburg, Penn. and after coming west, she, with her husband united themselves with the Congregational Church of this place.

On the evening of Aug. 28, she exposed a desire to have a minister sent for which was done, but when the minister arrived she was unconscious and not aware that he was present, he, thinking that singing would revive her, started a verse of “Rock of ages cleft me, let me hide myself in thee” and had only sang a line or two before she aroused and knew the minister was with her. He then asked her if he should sing and pray with her to which she replied, “Oh yes do sing and pray.” after a prayer and song by the minister and family she opened her eyes looked around the room and said “I feel so much better now.” but her life time was fast ebbing away and in a few hours she became unconscious and remained so until the time of her death which occurred Thursday morning at 9:30. The funeral services were held at her mother’s home in Mt. Carroll, Friday at 10 o’clock A. M. The Rev. Jno. Ellis officiating. A large concourse of friends and relatives followed the remains to Oak Hill Cemetery where all that was mortal of Mrs. Davis was laid to rest.

She was always of a cheerful nature and through her long sickness was never heard to complain. She was a loving and devoted wife and affectionate sister. She leaves a young husband, an aged mother, three sisters, nine brothers and many friends and relatives to mourn their loss.

Byron Express, Sep. 3, 1886, p. 1

Contributed by Bob Hutchins

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