RELEASE DATE: MAY 15, 2016



KINSEARCHING

by

Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
 

     Obituaries in older newspapers sometimes supply interesting facts or stories written in a different style from more recent ones. An example is a fragile newspaper clipping found in the Opal and Lester Saffell family papers, currently held in a private collection in Lubbock, Texas. Although the obituary is undated and no title appears, it was probably printed in an Illinois newspaper on 19 December 1919. (The death date for Byron Herbert Fernald can be found in the Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947, database at Ancestry.com.) Additional information on various members of the Watson family can be found in several of the “Kinsearching” columns published in February and March 2015.

     (Genealogists should be aware that some punctuation and words have been added for clarity and readability. All-caps for surnames are used for emphasis.)

     “Death Due to Heart Trouble

     B. H. FERNALD of Roseville Passed Away at Home at 7:30 O’clock This Morning—An Old Settler

     Byron H. FERNALD, one of Roseville’s best known citizens, passed away at his home this morning at 7:30 o’clock. Death was due to heart trouble. Mr. Fernald had suffered heart attacks before but had not been bothered recently. He arose as usual this morning and, after eating breakfast, sat down in a chair, where he passed away quietly before any one (sic) knew he was seriously ill.

     Mr. Fernald was born in Eaton, N. H., in 1857. When just a boy, he came to Illinois with his parents, where he resided ever since. Until about six years ago, he lived on the Isaac PRATT homestead, one mile north of Roseville. Between the years of 1915 and 1917, he was mayor of Roseville. Mr. Fernald was one of Roseville’s most high respected residents and will be greatly missed in his home and in business life by his many friends.

     He was united in marriage to Miss Ida WATSON, and to this union, three children were born, all of whom are living. They are two sons,

Bliss FERNALD of Avon;

[and] Ayers FERNALD, who lives south of Roseville;

and a daughter, Georgia Fernald SEEMAN, of Waynewright, Mo., who is left beside the widow to mourn his death.

     He is also survived by three brothers and three sisters. They are

Ed of Larchland;

Simon, who lives east of Monmouth;

John of Monmouth;

Mrs. O. T. MARSTON of Roseville;

Mrs. J. TALBOTT of Smithshire;

and Mrs. Edith STEPHENS of Aledo.

     No funeral arrangements have yet been made.”


     The photograph below was discovered between pages 1028-1029 in the “Hayes—Haynes” biographical sketches in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA, VOLUME 24, 1946-1947 (50th anniversary edition). Written on the back are the names Gerald and Neanie (or Neanil). Does anyone know who these people are?

Gerald and Neanie


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