Obituaries
Courtesy of Linda Fullen Sawyer

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.