RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2015
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Again we share information found in the Opal and Lester Saffell family papers, currently held in a private collection in Lubbock, Texas. Although the newspaper clipping is undated and the name of the paper is not stated, details on the back of the item show that it was published in Kirkwood, Illinois. The obituary of Mrs. James H. WATSON explains some of the ties between the WATSON, GODFREY, and HAMLIN families mentioned in the Kinsearching column for 15 February 2015. (Some punctuation, capital letters in proper names, and other letters have been added for clarity and readability of the clippings. All-caps for surnames are used for emphasis.)
“Mrs. James H. WATSON, of near Ponemah, a life long (sic) resident of Ellison Township, passed away peacefully at the family home, Wednesday at 4 p. m., January 5th, 1916.
Mrs. Watson’s health had been somewhat impaired since Christmas Day, but her illness had not been considered serious until a few days before her death.
The sad news of her critical condition was transmitted to her relatives, but those coming from California and Iowa failed to reach her bed side before the Angel of Death had claimed her as his own.
Mrs. Watson had been a patient sufferer of asthma for several years and this with heart trouble was the cause of her death.
Mary Jane GODFREY was born at Tippecanoe, Indiana, January 22nd, 1845. At the age of 3 years, she came to Illinois with her parents who settled on a farm in Ellison Township. Here she grew to woman hood (sic), and on May 11th, 1868, she was united in marriage to James H. WATSON.
Mrs. Watson had lived practically all her life in Ellison Township and was well and favorably known throughout the community by a large circle of friends, who were sorely grieved to learn of her death.
Deceased was the mother of six children, all of whom survive. They are
Mrs. Nettie HAMLIN of Red Oak, Iowa;
Jason WATSON of Wicksfield, Mo.;
Ed WATSON, residing near home;
Alvin [WATSON] at home;
Fred E. WATSON, Pasadena, Calif.; and
Ralph WATSON of New Castle, Indiana.
She also leaves six grandchildren, and the following brothers and sisters:
David GODFREY of Kansas City;
Clark GODFREY of Griswold, Iowa; and
Mrs. Eleanor GARRETT of Media, Ill.
The funeral services were conducted at the home, Saturday morning at 10:30 by Rev. G. H. McCREA of the Smithshire Methodist Church, Mrs. Watson having been a faithful and consistent member of the church for several years. Comfort and consolation found in the 14th chapter of John was conveyed by the pastor to the sorrowing relatives and friends who had gathered to pay their last respect to the depated (sic) one.
Interment was in Center Grove Cemetery at Kirkwood by the side of her husband, who passed away May 13th, 1912.”
(End)