Death of one of the Earliest Pioneers of the town of Leaf River (handwritten 1908)

Caroline T. (Hammond) Eavey was born February 3, 1821 at New Windsor, Maryland, and died at her home in Leaf River, Tuesday, December 22, 1908, aged 87 years, 10 months, 19 days.
She was married to Isaac D. Eavey June 1, 1837. To this union were born 13 children, of whom four daughters remain to mourn the loss of a fine and devoted mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Eavey came to the town of Leaf River in the spring of 1840, and settled on what is known as the old Rhinehart place near Egan. Their home has ever since been in this vicinity.
Mr. Eavey died August 30, 1889, and the family soon removed to the village of Leaf River. Mrs. Eavey was the oldest person in the town and nearly the oldest settler. We learn of but one, Mr. Horatio Wagner, who came her in 1838, two years prior to the coming of Mr. Eavey, that is an older settler and is still living in our town.
What an eventful life these old settlers have passed through! The changes that have taken place in this town during their seventy years of occupation must to them seem wonderful. (offered by Thelma Thomas Livingston/Carole Ann Heller)
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Mrs. Caroline T. Eavey, nee Hammond, was born February 3, 1821 at New Windsor, Maryland, and died at Leaf River, Illinois, December 22, 1908. She was married to Isaac D. Eavey, June 1, 1837. They came to Illinois in 1840, locating on a farm north of Leaf River, where Mr. Eavey died August 30, 1889. Soon after she moved to Leaf River. Of the thirteen children born to them only five lived to maturity, of whom four daughters, with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive. She was converted under Freewill Baptist preaching, and joined the United Brethren Church before there were school-houses or churches in which to preach. She was a member of Otterbein class and the W.M.A. as long as we had a society there. By her Christ-like spirit, her patience in suffering, and her interest in others she drew all to her. Nellie C. Robertson. (offered by Thelma Thomas Livingston/Carole Ann Heller)

Submitted by Carole Ann Heller

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