IN MEMORIAM - WM. FINNEY Wm. Finney was born in Sterling, (Whiteside Co.), Illinois, December 25, 1849, and died in Polo, Ill, Nov. 23, 1914. Bereft of a mother when but a little boy, he lived for a time in Iowa, afterward moving to West Grove, Ill where he lived until Dec. 15, 1864. When a mere boy of 14, he enlisted in Co. D, 142 Illinois Infantry, called for 100 days service. He was honorably discharged at the close of his enlistment and on March 8, 1865 he re-enlisted and was assigned to Co. K, 15th Illinois Volunteers, and served to the close of the war, receiving his discharge July 23, 1865.
At the close of the war, he returned to his old home in West Grove and resumed a peaceful vocation in civil life. In 1871, Jan. 19, he was united in holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Melinda Shafstal, of near West Grove. Two children were born to this union, Ira E. of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Katherine E., at home. A brother, Abner, of Mount Morris, Ill. and a sister, Mrs. E. A. Young, of Oregon, Ill. and two half brothers, James S. of Alexandria, Ind. and Ira S. of Morrison, Iowa are left with the grief stricken wife and children to mourn the untimely demise. There are two grandsons, Forrest, and Merrill, children of the son, Ira.
About six years ago, he moved to Polo, Ill. He was stricken with paralysis last December, followed by a second stroke in February. He lived in feeble health until September 21, 1914 when he was taken with a severe stroke from which he never rallied.
He was converted at a revival meeting in West Grove by Rev. J. W. Mohr, and united with the Evangelical Association. He was a man of quiet, retiring disposition, but of deep religious convictions. His closing days were soothed and sustained by a simple, unfaltering trust in the merits of a crucified Redeemer. He is gone to be with Christ which is far better. May we all so live as to meet him there at last.
The funeral service was held in the United Evangelical Church, Wednesday, at 2:00 P. M. conducted by Rev. E. K. Yeakel, assisted by Revs. J. G. Fueght, of Forreston, and J. H. Keagle, pastor of the Evangelical Church in this city.
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