In my last post I mentioned that I searched the Canton (Illinois) Weekly Registers on microfilm and found nothing for my own research. I didn't have time to grab everything with genealogical reference, but I randomly saved a few mentions of deaths and/or marriages. Someone might as well get some good out of the time I spent on this. So I've transcribed what I could of these clippings. You can see they were sometimes very difficult to read. Long obituaries were a rare occurrence. Most "columns" of deaths or marriages were the shorter type, like below.
January 23, 1852
Hymenial
MARRIED - On Thursday the 15th inst. by Rev. JOHN LUCCOCK, Mr. JESSE COLLINS to Mrs. JANE R. WALTERS, all of this county.
Obituary
Communicated,
DIED - In Farmington, Fulton County, Ills., on Wednesday evening, January 14th, EDWARD S. BERSON, aged 26 years.The deceased was a native of Frederick County Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio in 1831 and in May 1850 removed to Illinois.
It is a melancholy office for one who has known him long, and loved him well, to recount the virtues and worth of one who has passed away from us forever; but the promptings of a friendship tried and true, and of a sorrow most heartfelt, suggests something more than the bare announcement of his death. Beloved by all who knew him, he was especially endeared to those who, in the social circle, had the most frequent opportunities of knowing his noble heart, and appreciating his generous character. In all the relations of life, as a husband, a father, and a friend - he ever carries those same amiable qualities, which, while they gave a brilliancy and a charm to his company, seemed(?) to fix, most firmly in the recollection of all, an appreciation of his own inherent goodness. Seldom are we called to mourn the departure of one whose loss is so keenly and deeply felt by all.
July 10, 1852
Obituary
DIED, on the 1st instant, at his residence, two miles northeast of Canton, Mr.
TIMOTHY NORRIS, aged 19 years.
Again are we called upon to mourn the loss of another good citizen. As a husband and father, he was kind and affectionate in the highest degree. As a citizen, his uprightness, his sterling honesty, and his unflinching integrity, were proverbial with all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance; his modest and unassuming manners won the esteem and respect of an extensive circle of acquaintances. But few men in our community ever enjoyed such a degree of confidence and respect as sis Mr. NORRIS when living, and but few men have been taken from among us whose deaths were as sincerely regretted as his. Truly, indeed, may it be said, that he died without a single enemy, with a character pure, spotless and unblemished.
* * *
September 18, 1852
Hymenial
"The silken tie, that binds two willing hearts"
MARRIED, on the 9th inst. by the Rev. E. Schwartz, Mr. CHARLES PANNESTOCK, to Miss MELIANA KERR, both of Lancaster, Peoria county.
Obituary
DIED, on Thursday, the 9tn inst., of cholera [?] Mrs. MARGARET BASS, wife of Mr. Jason M. Bass, of this place, aged sixty five years.
Mrs. Bass was born in Bergen county, New Jersey; spent the early part of her life in the city of New York, and the last fifteen years in this place. With her husband and daughter she had spent the past season, with much satisfaction, visiting their friends at the East. Returning, and when near home, on board a steamer on the Illinois river, she was taken ill, and in a few hours expired. Her remains were put in a metallic coffin and brought to this place for interment. These peculiar circumstances of her death have greatly deepened the grief in the hearts of her stricken husband, family and friends. Her sun went not down at noon; her journey was not short; her life was not in vain. She professed faith in Jesus Christ while residing in New York, and adorned that profession by the exhibition of some of the most lovely graces. Active, faithful and affectionate as a wife and a mother, with a cheerful countenance and prudent hand, she moved in her sphere with gentleness and power. Kind to all, meek and ever ready to overlook the frailties of others, she endeared herself to a large circle of acquaintances, who deeply sympathize with the bereaved family. As her life was peaceful, so was her death. And though called so unexpectedly, she left her counsel and prayer of kindness and peace, and with raised hands whispered, "Happy, happy," as her spirit sunk to rest. This brightness of hope dispels the gloom from her grave, and like the oil of joy, soothes the sorrows of her mourning friends.
* * *
October 2, 1852
Obituary
DIED, on the 20th September last, in Canton township, Mr. JOHN A. LANE, in the sixty-first year of his age. Mr. Lane was sick but nine days. He died of dysentery. In his death the family and neighborhood have sustained a great loss.
* * *
October 9, 1852
Hymenial
"The silken tie, that binds two willing hearts."
MARRIED, on Tuesday, 2d inst., by Rev. B. C. Swarts, Mr.
JONATHAN M. DURHAM, and Miss
MARY ANN BROWN, both of Fulton county.
Cake received.
MARRIED, on the 26th, ult., at Fairfield, Iowa, by the Rev. D. N. Smith,
W. Y. HEAD, of the "Democratic State Journal" office, Sacramento City, California, and Miss
PHERUBA PATRICK, formerly of Ross county, Ohio.
MARRIED, on the 4th inst., at the residence of
E. S. Head, two miles South of Canton, by the Rev. B. C. Swarts,
Dr. SAMUEL S. GUTHER and Miss
SOPHRONIA HEAD, all of this county.
* * *
November 6, 1852
Hymenial
"The silken tie, that binds two willing hearts."
MARRIED, on Sunday(?) 7th inst., (?) township, by Rev. Mr. Maple, Mr. HESATONY(?) J. WHITMORE and Miss ANN AMELIA (?) SEYDAN, both of this county.
A long and happy life to the youthful pair.
MARRIED, in Canton, on the 10th inst., by Rev. S. G. Miner, Mr. HAYDEN KEELING and Miss CATHERINE SNELL.
At the same time, by the same Mr. LEWIS KEELING and Miss ELIZABETH A. WHITE, all of this place.
Cake received, and all right.
MARRIED, on the 24th October, by Rev. Wm McCandlish, Mr. JOSIAH SCHENCK, to Miss SOPHIA ROBERTSON, all of Fairview.
MARRIED, on the 28th October, by the same, Mr. GEORGE ADAMS, to Miss CAROLINE RUBLE, all of Farmington.
