Two obituaries
have surfaced for George W. Gandy, my first cousin 4 times removed; both are
transcribed below. I was unable to verify the statements in the first obituary, published by the Marysville (Ohio) Tribune, that George served as mayor of two towns in DeWitt County, Illinois—Kenney and
Clinton. I posted a query on the Ancestry.com message board seeking
confirmation of these statements; Judy Simpson graciously transcribed an
obituary she found in the Clinton Register.
That obituary contains no reference to his serving as mayor of either town.
“GRIM REAPER
——
Takes Off Native of Union County in Far Away
Oklahoma.
——
The
recent death of George Gandy, at Lexington, Oklahoma, is of more than passing
interest to many of the older residents of Union county. He was the youngest
son of Abijah Gandy who helped to clear Leesburg township out of the primeval
forest, and for many years was identified with the early history of Union
county.
The
son, George Gandy, went to Illinois where he rose into prominence, serving as
mayor of Clinton and also mayor of Kenny. He moved to Oklahoma three years ago.
His body was brought back to Clinton, Illinois, for burial which took place
under the auspices of Henderson lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Kenny, Illinois.
The deceased was an uncle of L. Meacham, of Woodstock, and was also related to
the Clevengers and others about Pharisburg. He was about 75 years of age at his
death.”
[Source: "Grim Reaper," Marysville Tribune, 5 Aug 1903 (page and column unknown).
“July 10, 1903
Clinton Register
AN UNEXPECTED DEATH.
George W. GANDY, a former resident of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. P. GRAHAM, in Lexington, Oklahoma, last Sunday morning, July 5, at 4:20 o’clock. He had been complaining of a dizziness for some days, but he appeared in his usual health, and the day before his death was spent about the streets of Lexington.
George W. Gandy was born in Union county, Ohio, June 5th, 1836, and when 18 years old located in the north part of this state, where he remained about three years, when he came to this county, where he had made his home, until about three years ago, when he went to Lexington, Oklahoma, where he had made his home with Mrs. Graham. He was married to Mrs. Elizabeth HUTCHIN about 38 years ago, but she preceded him to the grave about five years ago.
Mrs. Graham arrived here Tuesday night with the remains. The funeral took place Wednesday at 4 p.m., form Wm. Monson’s residence at 814 West Main street, conducted by Revs. E. A. Gilliland and S. C. Black, after which the remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn. The A. F. and A. M. lodge of Kenney took charge of the remains here.
George W. Gandy was well and favorably known in this county. His disposition was pleasant and agreeable, honest and industrious.”
[Source: Judy Simpson (user name JSimpson8733), "Re: George Gandy," Ancestry.com, DeWitt County, Illinois, message board, 12 June 2012 (http://boards.ancestry.com/ : accessed 12 Jun 2012).]
© 2012 Denise Spurlock
“July 10, 1903
Clinton Register
AN UNEXPECTED DEATH.
George W. GANDY, a former resident of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. P. GRAHAM, in Lexington, Oklahoma, last Sunday morning, July 5, at 4:20 o’clock. He had been complaining of a dizziness for some days, but he appeared in his usual health, and the day before his death was spent about the streets of Lexington.
George W. Gandy was born in Union county, Ohio, June 5th, 1836, and when 18 years old located in the north part of this state, where he remained about three years, when he came to this county, where he had made his home, until about three years ago, when he went to Lexington, Oklahoma, where he had made his home with Mrs. Graham. He was married to Mrs. Elizabeth HUTCHIN about 38 years ago, but she preceded him to the grave about five years ago.
Mrs. Graham arrived here Tuesday night with the remains. The funeral took place Wednesday at 4 p.m., form Wm. Monson’s residence at 814 West Main street, conducted by Revs. E. A. Gilliland and S. C. Black, after which the remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn. The A. F. and A. M. lodge of Kenney took charge of the remains here.
George W. Gandy was well and favorably known in this county. His disposition was pleasant and agreeable, honest and industrious.”
[Source: Judy Simpson (user name JSimpson8733), "Re: George Gandy," Ancestry.com, DeWitt County, Illinois, message board, 12 June 2012 (http://boards.ancestry.com/ : accessed 12 Jun 2012).]
© 2012 Denise Spurlock
I have an ancestor who was supposedly mayor of Athens, GA. When I checked Athens' website, there is a list of its former mayors, but don't you know that some years are missing, so I can't verify this story either. Your 2 obits are interesting because they're so different in style and in focus. The second seems much more personal, which is probably why there is no mention of his service as mayor.
ReplyDeleteYou are right - the second one is much more personal and it was published in the community where he lived when he died. The other one was published in the home town he had left decades earlier.
ReplyDelete