CLAXTON, ROSANNA WELLS. Springs Valley
Herald, November 2, 1922: After a long illness Mrs. Rosanna Claxton peacefully
passed away at her home on Walnut
Street early Tuesday morning. He husband, Thomas
Claxton, died many years ago. She was a quiet, unassuming Christian woman whose
kindly smile and friendly spirit made everyone love and respect her. She leaves
three sons and a daughter to mourn the loss of mother: R. V. Claxton and C. O.
Claxton of French Lick, Mrs. J. B. Freeman of Shoals, and James Claxton of Dayton, Ohio.
The funeral and burial was at Mt.
Gilead Wednesday
afternoon.
ELLIS, NOBLE. Kokomo
Tribune, Aug 15, 1961 Former ABC Chairman Dies Monday. Orleans, Ind. (AP) -
Noble Ellis, 58, former chairman of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission,
died Monday after suffering a heart attack while driving a pickup truck. Ellis,
an Orange County
farmer, was stricken as turned into the driveway of a new home he was building
along Ind. 37 south of Orleans.
A Republican, he was appointed ABC chairman by then Gov. Harold W. Handley in
1957 and served 4 yours. He had served as Orange
County sheriff from 1937 to 1944 and
as state senator from Lawrence, Martin and Orange counties for two terms, beginning in
1951. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Ruth Esther Ellis; a son, Jack Ellis of Bedford, and a brother, Cedric Ellis of Birmingham, Ala.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Ochs Funeral Home here with
burial in Fairview
Cemetery.
GRESHAM, JOHN HENRY. Paoli Republican, Sep 5, 1923: John H
Gresham, a former well known citizen of this community, died at his home at Saltillo, where he had
been living for several years, on August 23, aged 78 years. He was born near
Paoli in 1845 and during the Civil War enlisted in the 13th Ind Calvary. He
returned from the war in the fall of 1865 and in 1866 was married to
Sarah Ann Webster. She, with seven children survives. Mrs Gresham will be
remembered by many of our older citizens as an upright and honorable man and a
good citizen.
GRIGSBY, MARY ELIZABETH POTTER French Lick Spring Valley
Herald, Feb 13, 1919: Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. William Shelby and Martha
Potter, was born July 18, 1844. She was united in marriage to William Bennett
Grigsby October 14, 1862. To this union were born nine children, namely: Isaac
Emmett of Bedford, William Shelby of West Baden, Claudius Lee of Chicago,
Albert Elsby, who departed this life September 22, 1897; Mrs. Harry Roland of
Mt Carmel, II, Mrs. Hugh Glenn of French Lick, Mrs. Edward Nuss of West Baden
and two children who died in infancy. Besides her immediate family, she is
survived by two sisters, Mrs. Martha Ellis of near Orleans
and Mrs. Hettie Lewis of Florence,
Kansas. She spent the early part
of her life near Bromer and almost her entire life in Orange County.
She was brought up in the Presbyterian faith, but in later years united with
the Primitive Baptist church at French Lick, in which she remained a consistent
member until death. She was a charter member of French Lick chapter, Order of
the Eastern Star, and was greatly devoted to the order. On the morning of
January 22, 1919, at 5 o'clock Jesus whispered, "Come unto me," and
placing her hand in His, she walked through the gate into the city of New Jerusalem, at the age
of 74 years, 6 months and 4 days. She had been an invalid for about three
years, but was ever patient and submissive to His will. She was a faithful and
dutiful wife and a fond and loving mother, never growing weary ministering to
the wants of others. she will be greatly missed by her loved ones. While she is
taken from the family circle, yet she is now living that life that knows no
death and is not dead, but only gone on before, and her sweet spirit is now in
that heavenly land where all the white-robed angels are. In her quiet and pure
life, she has left a striking example well worthy to be imitated by all. She
was one whom to know was to love, always kind and had a smile and kind word for
all. Thus she passes to her grand reward from a beautiful and useful life on
this earth to live a higher and purer life in that of ever blooming flowers.
Brief funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Elder George W. Atkins,
assisted by Rev. Mr. Wilson, pastor of French Lick M.E. church from the home of
her daughter, Mrs. Edward Nuss of West Baden, after which her mortal remains
were laid to rest in the cemetery at Ames Chapel by the side of her husband to
await her Master's call on the Resurrection morning.
GRIGSBY, WILLIAM BENETT. Orleans Progress, Oct 28,
1897: Bennett Grigsby, better known as "Old Red" one of the best
known citizens in our county died at his home in Hillham, a week ago yesterday,
of typhoid fever, after an illness of only a few days. That his death was
superinduced by grief there can be no doubt. About six weeks ago his little
grandson, born on his 50th birthday, was scalded to death at Bedford, and from that day his grief was
plainly noticeable. Two weeks later, his youngest son, Albert, a young man of
bright promise, fell a victim to typhoid fever, and just four weeks to a day
had elapsed when the soul of the father and grandfather had gone to join that
of his loved ones. Bennett Grigsby was one of God's noblemen. One of the
earliest recollections of my life was a visit to his father's home, and I have
known him, personally, ever since I was a mere boy. He was a man in every sense
the word implies. His word was his bond and was readily accepted by all who
knew him. To his family he was kind and affectionate. To his neighbors he was a
staunch and true friend. The family loses a father and husband, the community a
good citizen. He was an honored member of the F. & A. M., and his funeral
was conducted by that order.
LEWIS, ELIJAH Paoli Republican, Nov 2 , 1916: Elijah
Lewis, a well known citizen of this community, died of cancer at the poor farm
Saturday morning. He was formerly a prominent farmer east of Paoli, but had
been reduced financially until he was compelled to accept a home at the county
house. He was about 65 years of age.
PICKENS, EDITH EMILY HILL. Orleans Progress Examiner, May
28, 1914 Edith Emily, daughter of Josephus and Josephine Hill, was born June
12, 1890. She was united in marriage to George Pickens Oct 23, 1910, by Rev.
Minnie Thorne. She was converted in the M. E. church at Paoli in the winter of
1909. She became a member of Friends church at Lost River
when a mere child. She later joined the U. B. church at Union
and ever lived a devoted member until on Monday morning, May 18, 1914, she
joined the church Triumphant. She told her faithful husband who sat at her
bedside she was ready and willing to go and asked him not to grieve for her, as
she saw the light of the city and the way was clear. She left a sweet
exhortation to her loved ones so they could meet her in the morning. She slept
the sleep of death. But we feel that at last she has awakened and known as we
are known. Hard working, self sacrificing, patient, loving, thoughtful,
generous, faithful and true. Such was her character. Her life has gone out but
her works do follow her. Her influence has left a lasting impression upon all
she has ever met. For her time has passed, the day breaketh and the mists have
rolled away. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Minnie Thorne at Union Chapel
May 19. Her body was laid to rest in the cemetery there. How our hearts go out
in sympathy for the devoted husband and all the loved ones that are left to
mourn. The pall bearers were Misses Grace Martin, Grace Brown, Blanch Sears,
Mrs. Blanch Moody, Mrs. Cora Stultz and Mrs. Nell Wilson. Oh, George, I am
dying, Her voice was sweet and low. Meet me in Heaven, For I will love to go.
Sweetheart the stars are shining, Heaven is not far away, As in my
arms she died, And saw the light of day.
WEBSTER, MARTHA J GRESHAM Paoli Republican, Jul 14,
1915 Mrs. Martha Webster, widow of the late Christopher Webster, whose
home for many years was a short distance North of Paoli, died last Wednesday
night at the home of her sister near Abydel, whom she was visiting.
WEBSTER, MARY. Paoli Republican, Dec 25, 1889: Dead.
Mrs. Mary Webster was buried at the Webb graveyard last Thursday, aged 88
years. For forty years she had lived a widow. She professed Christ a few days
before she died. Old age and general debility is given as the cause of her demise.
Note: I do not know this Mary Webster's maiden name, nor can
I find anything about her; also she is not listed in the Noblitt-Webb cemetery
which is the cemetery I believe they are referring to, so could be a
grave marker that was destroyed so am including this for that reason, in hopes
that this bit of information may help someone find their ancestor.
WELLS, HIRAM E. Fort
Wayne Weekly Sentinel, July 30, 1902 Col. Hiram E
Wells Dead. Paoli, Ind., July 26. Col. Hiram E Wells,
proprietor of the Wells hotel, French Lick, this county, died at Chicago yesterday of
apoplexy. He was on the way, accompanied by his daughter, to the northern lake
resorts for the summer, and upon reaching Chicago
was stricken and never rallied. He was 62 years of age and had accumulated a
large fortune. He was prominent in state and local republican politics and was
at one time treasurer of this county. He served during the war of the
rebellion. He was for a number of years one of the owners and proprietors of
French Lick Springs and hotel. At the time of his death he was president of the
Citizens' State bank, of Bloomington, Ind., and also president of the Stone
City bank, of Bedford, Ind.,
in both of which he was one of the largest stockholders. Two sons and two
daughters survive him.
WELLS, MARY ELIZABETH LOVE Springs
Valley Herald, March 12, 1931 Mary
Elizabeth Wells, daughter of William and Lavina Love, was born at Greensburg, North Carolina
August 28, 1849 and passed away at her home in French Lick, Ind., March 7, 1931. Aged 81 years, 6 months
and 9 days. When but a small child her parents moved from Carolina
to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee
residing there for four years when they moved to Orange County, Indiana
and settled on a farm near what is now Ames Chapel. she grew to young womanhood
in this neighborhood and on April 22, 1870 was married to William T. Wells.
They established a home on a farm in the same community and reared a family of
seven children. Two of the children died in early life and a daughter, Mrs. Nora
Richardson passed away in August of last year. Surviving are two sons, Arthur
and Fred of French Lick, and two daughters, Mrs. Sallie Stone of French Lick
and Mrs. Frona Lashbrook of Miami,
Florida. In 1916 when the health
of her husband was declining they left the farm and moved to French Lick where
he passed away in November of the same year. At the age of 14 years she was
converted and united with the Methodist church at Nelson Chapel under the
pastorate of the Rev. H. C. Harned. When the church at Ames Chapel was built
she moved her membership there where it remained till the time of her death.
The life of Mrs. Wells was one of devotion to her family, her neighbors and her
friends. She gave herself for them in sacrifice and service and no task was thought
of as hard or burdensome if it would give comfort or happiness to her companion
or her children. During these days no night was too stormy or too dark for her
to go to the homes of neighbors to help in times of sickness or distress.
Having been blessed with such a long life, and not being especially rugged she
spent her declining years in the quietude of the home in perfect peace and
contentment. From one of the sons come the statement that "mother was
always contented no matter what the condition in life" and from the other
son of words, "Too many good things can not be said about mother."
The devotion, affection and tender care of the daughters, likewise, attest to
the beauty of the character of their mother. In her last moments she exemplified
the same peaceful spirit that characterized her life, and when the end was
inevitable she lisped the words, "I'm ready to go. Everything is all
right," and softly slipped away. She leaves 2 sons, 2 daughters, 7
grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 4 half sisters, 5 half brothers besides a
host of friends who feel their loss most keenly.
Wells, Mary E. Springs Valley Herald March 12, 1931 Mrs. Mary E. Wells, 81
years old, an esteemed and respected citizen of French Lick and Orange County
for many years, died Saturday night at her home on Monon Street following an illness of
several months. Mrs. Wells was well known in French Lick, having lived here
since 1916, when she moved to this city from her farm near Ames Chapel. Mrs.
Wells was born in Greensburg,
N.C., in 1849. She, with her
parents, moved to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and later moved to Orange County
and settled near Ames Chapel. She was married April 22, 1870 to William T.
Wells. Mr. Wells died in November 1916. she was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, having united with that congregation when 14 years of age.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells, three of whom, with their
father, have preceded her in death. Surviving children are Arthur and Fred
Wells of French Lick, Mrs. Sallie Stone of French Lick and Mrs. Frona Lashbrook
of Miami, Fla.
Several other relatives also survive. Funeral services were held Monday
afternoon at the Ames Chapel church, followed by interment in the adjoining
cemetery. Rev. A. H. Rumbley, pastor of the church, officiated.
WELLS, WILLIAM T. Paoli Republican, Dec 20, 1916
Resolution
of Respect in memory of Comrad William T Wells. Commander: It is our sad duty
to report to you that Comrad William T. Wells, a late member of the 13th
Indiana Calvary during the war of the Rebellion, and who was a tried, true and
faithful member of Basil B Decker Post No. 334, Department of Indiana G. A. R.
was on the 9th day of November , 1916 called by our Great Commander to the
Grand Army above. Wherefore, we, your committee, in testimony of his loyalty to
his country when her glorious principles of freedom were assailed, of his
private character as a citizen, and as a true and loyal member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, recommend that a copy of these expressions of our regard
for the fallen comrade be sent to the family. Sleep on ye fallen Comrade, the
victory you have won, You've served the nation's banner, your task has been
well done. Rest under wreaths of laurels by grateful people given, We strew
your grave with flowers, the sweetest gift of heaven. Thomas J. Cave, Aaron R Anderson, George W.
Pruett, Committee
Lagle, Neva Fullen Funeral services
for Mrs. Neva Lagle were held Monday afternoon at Ochs Funeral Home, followed by
burial in Old Union Cemetery. Mrs. Lagle 55, died Saturday at her home in
Louisville, Ky. she was born November 15, 1914 in Orange Co to Arthur J and Lucy
J Riddle Fullen. She married Cobert Lagle who preceded her in death. She had
been employed as an engineer supervisor in civil service. Surviving are her
mother; two brothers Arthur G of Campbellsburg and Leon of Anderson; two sisters
Mrs. Edna Turley, La Mesa, California and Mrs. Glen Kelly, Whittier,
California.
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