Gravestone Advertisement from 1887

This is a advertisement that I came across in The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), dated 14 October 1887.

The Jesse W. Fell Family in Stone

Jesse Weldon Fell was a prominent figure in the Bloomington-Normal area.  Born in New Garden, Chester, Pennsylvania on 10 November 1808, he set out in search of the West in 1828.  By the Spring of 1833, he was the first lawyer in Bloomington, with an office located downtown.  Jesse is credited with co-founding the Bloomington Observer in 1837 (Bloomington's first newspaper), as well as establishing a normal school, Illinois State Normal University (n.k.a. Illinois State Univeristy).  He is essentially known as the father of the Town of Normal, which grew up around the university.  Jesse kept company with the likes of Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, Adlai Stevenson, and James Allin.

Jesse married Hester Vernon BROWN on 26 January 1838.  Together, they had eight children:  Henry, William, Eliza, Clara, Flora, Alice, Rachel, and Fannie.  Jesse died 25 Feb 1887.  Jesse, Hester, and their children are all buried together in the Fell-Davis lot at Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington.

	Jesse W. Fell 1808-1887
	Hester Vernon Brown Wife of Jesse W. Fell 1819-1906
	Alice C. Dau. of J.W. & H.V. Fell 1853-1927
	Clara Vernon Fyffe Aug. 27, 1844 Sept. 13, 1916
	James R. Fyffe Aug. 18, 1841 Mar. 3, 1872
	Eliza B. Fell Wife of Wm. O. Davis 1842-1900
	Wm. O. Davis 1837-1911
	Hibbard Osborn Davis July 9, 1864 July 16, 1925
	Florence Eddy Wife of H.O. Davis Nov. 4, 1867 Dec. 7, 1893
	William O. Davis Jr. Son of H.O. Davis Dec. 10, 1890 May 22, 1919
	Louis Eddy Davis Lieut. U.S.A. Born 1893 Killed 1918 Died for his country
	Fannie C Dau of J.W. & H.V. Fell 1858-1931
	Henry Clay Fell 1838-1927
	Frances Larison Wife of Henry C. Fell 1842-1902
	Flora M. Dau. og H.C. & F.M. Fell 1866-1874
	Hester Fell Petersen 1870-1958
	Hester Petersen Caldwell 1904-1982
	Mary Fell Wife of Geo. G. Allman 1868-1902
	Rachel Fell Wife of Arthur F. Treakle 1856-1938
	Arthur Fremont Treakle 1858-1924
	Harold Winters Son of A.F. & Rachel Fell Treakle 1891-1908
	Jesse Fell Son of A.F. & Rachel Fell Treakle 1887-1910
	William Brown Fell 1841 Age 20 Days ----- Flora Maria Fell 1850-1855

Have We Met Before?

As you all well know, it was a sad week for the AGYR. But we're forging ahead and keeping the boat afloat.

With all the craziness, I didn't even notice that the Meet a Rabbit column was posted, which was mine! If you missed it, be sure to check it out.

Tombstone Tuesday - 01/06/09

Photo taken at Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington, Illinois.

Julie

Where's Julie?

Many of you know from reading my genealogy blog that I took some time off to visit my mom in Arizona.  In addition to that, I've been heavily into research.

You may also recall that I was named managing editor of the GYR quarterly journal.  I've been pretty busy with this as well.

I'm hoping this will let up a bit so I can resume posting to this blog.  I have many article ideas, some even started, I just need to get a little bit of time to finish them up and get them posted.  I also hope to resume Tombstone Tuesday next week.

Here's what's on tap:

• But I Thought Dorothy Was From Kansas
• The Jesse Fell Family

Julie