| (From the Quill, February 9, 1909, LaHarpe Historical Society - courtesy of Judy O'Flaherty)
Frances A. Wheeler was born at Zanesville, Ohio, January 25, 1838, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Geo. Roll, LaHarpe, Ill., Saturday, February 6, 1909, at 5:50 p. m., aged 71 years and 11 days. She grew to young womanhood in her native state and in 1856 came with her father's family to Illinois, settling near Sciota, in McDonough county. Her mother died when she was only a year old, but her father was married the second time before the family left Ohio. She is survived by three half-brothers and three half-sisters, Wesley Wheeler, of Kansas City, Mo.; Jno. Wheeler, of Coin, Iowa; Mrs. Enoch Hutchison and Mrs. Elizabeth Goodman, both of Coin, Iowa; and Mrs. Sidney James, of College Springs, Mo. She was married to Alexander Cassingham at Carthage, Ill., Feb. 21, 1860. They lived on their farm in Durham township until about six years ago when they moved to LaHarpe. Five children were born to this union, Mrs. Geo. Roll, of LaHarpe; Chas. Cassingham, of LaHarpe; Mrs. Emma Roll, of Macomb; Irving Cassingham, of Galesburg; and Nancy Griffin, of LaHarpe. Besides the children who survive her she had fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her husband preceded her in death by a little over two years. He died September 16, 1906. About forty years ago she joined the M. E. Church then organized in the old Rock school house near LaCrosse. Sometime after this she moved her membership to the West Durham M. E. Church where she continued her membership until she moved to LaHarpe. Under the pastorate of Rev. Ernest Evans she joined the M. P. Church, April 10, 1904. She was a faithful Christian, a devoted wife, an earnest student of the Word of God. She went to Church and Sunday School as long as she could, and the reading of the Bible seemed her chiefest delight. Even when the power to understand its truths was gone the spirit's insight held it as a treasure most precious. She lived her allotted years. Her terrestrial journey is ended, but the spirit has returned to the God who gave it. Funeral services were held at the M. P. Church, Monday, at 2 o'clock, Rev. C. L. Dark, officiating. Burial in LaHarpe cemetery. |