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Switzerland County

Obituaries - M

Anna A. (Smith) Mathis

Anna Amanda Mathis, 84, of Rt. 1, Collison IL. died Wednesday, July 31, 1968 at Nance Nursing Home in Danville, Ill., after an illness of one year. She was born Oct. 28, 1883 in Switzerland County, the daughter of Samuel and Louisa Jakaway Smith. She was married in Williamsport in 1906, to Charles A. Mathis, who died in 58. She lived in Pence most of her life, moving four years ago to Collison to make her home with a daughter.

The deceased was a member of the West Lebanon Christian Church. 

She is survived by two sons, Samuel Mathis, Galveston, Ind.; Winfield Mathis, Bicknell; three daughters, Mrs. henry (Eva) Kaniewski, Boswell; Mrs. Charles (Rena) Lester, Mishawaka; Mrs. Thelma Bussard, Collison, Ill.; 12 Grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two Brothers, George Smith, Edon, O.; William smith, Bennington; Three Sisters, Mrs. Bessie Shatell, West Lebanon, Mrs. Lucy McLaughlin, Hoopeston ; and Mrs. Emma McDonald, Alvin , IL. 

Services were conducted at the Crowner-Siddens Mortuary, West Lebanon, Saturday with burial in West Lebanon Cemetery.

Alex McCreary

Source: July 3, 1951, Kokomo Tribune, July 3, 1951
Submitter unknown

ALEX MCCREARY, 87, whose home was at 521 South Armstrong street, died at 6:30 o'clock Thursday morning at the Galveston Nursing Home. He had been in ill health due to arthritis for 20 years and bedfast the past year.

The deceased was born March 24, 1864, in Switzerland County. He was married July 25, 1885, to Sarah E. Smith who died March 13, 1929.

Mr. McCreary was employed by the Continental Steel Corporation before he became ill.

Surviving are three daughters and three sons, Mrs. Grace Forkner, Mrs. Elphia Carter and Roscoe McCreary of this city, Mrs. Blancho Main of Swayzee, Marvin McCreary of Indianapolis and Gerald McCreary of Delphi. There are 11 grandchildren, 18 greatgrandchildren and several nephews and nieces.

The body is at the Fenn funeral home where services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Burial will be in the Bacon cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon Thursday.

Lucy (Smith) Williams McLaughlin

Lucy Williams McLaughlin 89, of Centennial Manor, Hoopeston, died at 11:40 AM, Sunday April 18th at the Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home.

She was born April 2, 1893 in Switzerland County, Ind. The daughter of Samuel and Lousia Jakeway Smith. She married Eddie E. Williams on December 31, 1912 at Watseka, Il and he preceded her in death on March 10, 1935. Later she married Edward Mitchell McLaughlin on July 1, 1943 and he proceded her in death in November 1953. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Floyd (Lenora) Sheffield of Hoopeston, Il. Mrs. William (Helen) Briscoe of Milford, Il. Mrs. John (Elizabeth) Marcinko of Cayuga, In.; and 3 sons, Lee Williams of Leroy, Il.; Robert E. Williams of Northridge Ca. and Eddie Williams of Cypress, Ca.; 24 Granchildren and 23 Great Grandchildren. she was proceeded in death by two children, Lucille Oleen and Billy S. Williams. Also her parents, three brothers, four sisters, one grandchild and 3 great grandchildren. Funeral Services were conducted at 1:30 wednesdayafternoon (April 21st at the Hamilton-Orr Funeral Home with the Rev. Wheeler T. Harden officiating. Rev. Harden is the minister of the First Christian Church of Hoopeston of which she was a member.

Dewitt Clinton Mead

Source: The Vevay Reveille, Switzerland county, Indiana, Thursday, September 24, 1891
Submitted by: Susan Paul Adkins

Dewitt C. Mead, an aged and respected citizen, formerly of this county, but late of Ohio county, died at his late residence near Rising Sun, in Ohio county, Saturday morning. The remains were interred in the Mead burying grounds last Sunday. He leaves several children to mourn the loss of a father, all of whom are grown ... Rev. Terrell last Sunday preached an interesting sermon at Palmetto to a large and appreciative audience.

Hiram Mead

Source: The Vevay Reveille, Switzerland county, Indiana, Thursday, July 23, 1891
Submitted by: Susan Paul Adkins

MEAD--Near Patriot, Friday, July 17, 1891, Hiram Mead, in his 75th year. Mr. Mead was a good and useful man, highly esteemed for his sterling traits of character, and his death is regretted by his numerous friends. His wife died several years ago. He leaves four children, all grown to manhood and womanhood -- Selar, Hiram, Mrs. Hiram Douglass and Mrs. Stephens. For a number of years Mr. Mead was a member of Patriot Lodge of Masons. The funeral took place last Sunday morning with Masonic ceremonies, after which the remains interred in the Sampson, or Mead, cemetery.

James Mead

Source: The Indiana Reveille, Vevay, Indiana, Wednesday, March 7, 1860, Col. 5
Submitted by: Susan Paul Adkins

Deaths
MEAD--At his residence, in Posey Township, on the 26th February, of Lung Fever, Mr. James Mead, in his 69th year of his age.

Phebe Cunningham Mead

Source: The Indiana Reveille, Vevay, Indiana, Saturday, May 29, 1875, Col. 2
Submitted by: Susan Paul Adkins

Died.
Mead -- In Posey Township, May 21st, Mrs. Phebe Mead; aged 81 years.

Source: The Indiana Reveille, Vevay, Indiana, Saturday, December 4, 1875
Administrator's Sale

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Administrator of the Estate of Phebe Mead, deceased, will offer for sale at public outcry, at the late residence of the deceased, in Posey Township, Switzerland County, Indiana, on
Saturday, December 18, 1875,

the personal property of said Estate, consisting of
One Cow, some Corn and Hay, Household and Kitchen Furniture,
and various other articles. 

Said sale will begin at 10 0'clock A.M. 

TERMS OF SALE: Sums of $3 and under, cash,
Over $3 a credit of six months, the purchaser giving note at interest, waiving valuation, with good security. 

HIRAM MEAD, Administrator.
THEO LIVINGS, Attorney. 

November 27, 1875

Sarah (Griswold) Miles

Reveille-Enterprise; Vevay, Switzerland, IN; Thursday, May 28, 1931
Submitted by Jeffrey Holtz

MRS. SARAH MILES IS CLAIMED BY DEATH AT HER RURAL HOME

Mrs. Sarah Miles, an aged and respected lady of near Aaron, passed away at her home there last Wednesday evening, following a short illness. She had been bedfast only three days.

The deceased was a daughter of Leonard and Mary Griswold and was born December 7, 1850.

She was first married to Benjamin Lewis who passed away several years ago. Four years after his death she was united in marriage to Melbourne Miles who died in 1916.

Mrs. Miles was a fine old lady in every respect. For many years she had lived alone on Bennington, Route 2, and was loved by all who knew her.

She is survived by four children, Mrs. Andrew Peters of near Aaron and Albert Miles of near Aaron, Roy Miles of Indianapolis, Mrs. Grover Farwood of Springfield, IL; a brother, Frank Griswold of Chicago; three half-brothers, Hully, Elwood, and Lawrence Griswold of this county; two half-sisters, Mrs. Uly Sigmon of Park Ridge and Mrs. Enolia Copeland of North Madison.

The funeral services, held on Friday at Pleasant Grove Church, was conducted by Rev. Hughes. Burial was in the Zion cemetery."

David Miller

Vevey Reveille, Thursday, July 23, 1885
Submitted by  Gary Stuart

David Miller was born in Bourbon County, Ky. December 29, 1795. He removed with his parents to Indiana in 1808. At a meeting held near the present site of Mt Sterling, in Switzerland County, in the year 1810, he united with the Methodist Episcoal Church, under the ministerial labors of Rev. Walter Griffith, and after the lawful probation was baptized and received into full membership by a local deacon named Osborn. But simple church membership was not by any means his highest conception of religion, and he could not rest the salvation of his soul upon such a sandy foundatiion, but to use his own language: "I felt that I was a great sinner before God; I confessed my sins in humble penitence and cried 'Lord, pardon all my sins' and no sooner said than done."

Mr. Miller was married to Polly Gullion in 1815, by whom he became the father of twelve children, seven of whom still live, and are respected citizens. Five others, together with the mother, have passsed away.

Having had the misfortune to lose a part of my memoranda, I am not able to give the date of Father Miller's second marriage, but it was when he was well advanced in life that he had the good fortune to wed Miss Nancy Ransom. I say good fortune, for but few men ever need so much care and kind attentiion as he did in a number of his last years of infirmity, and none were ever more kindly and constantly cared for.

As to Father Miller's business career, the writer is not informed more than that being one of the pioneer farmers of Switzerland county, all of his active life was taken up in the hard labor of clearing and cultivating the soil, and hs old age and infirmity was not deprived of the things needful for life and comfort.

Father Miller cared to talk but little of worldly affairs, but delighted in things spiritual and eternal. If any one could ever fully adopt the sentiment expressed by the poet who sang: "I love thy kingdom, Lord, the house of thine abode" &c. surely that man was David Miller, and if there was anything that came near causing a momentary complaint it was when he could no longer find his place in the house of the Lord. For more than fifty years, he was a most zealous and faithful class leader and licensed exhorter, and his ringing, soul stirring exhortations, his words of comfort and counsel to Christians, his earnest appeal to sinners, will not soon be forgotten. Like the Apostle John, it was his greatest pleasure in old age to be carried to the house of God and tell of the sufficiency of religion in every condition and pronounce a Patriarchal blessing upon the congregation.

On the morning of July 18th, 1885 at the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 19 days, and after a religious life of even seventy five years, David Miller sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. The funeral was attended by a great concourse of people, and the sermon was preached by the writer at the request of the deceased, from 2 Tim. 4, 6, and 8.

Thus another of the pioneers has been removed, but "he being dead yet speaketh."

J. W. Allen

Mix, George F.

July 23, 1908,  North Vernon Plain Dealer
Submitted by Sheila Kell

George F. Mix was born in Switzerland county, Ind., April 13th, 1841, and died at his home in Jennings county, Ind., near Rush Branch July 14th, 1908, age 67 years 3 months and one day. His parents moved to Jennings county in 1858 when he was 17 years of age, and he has since that time been a resident of this vicinity, a period of about 50 years. Mr. Mix was twice married, the first time to Miss Catherine Starkey, Oct, 26,1862, she departed this life soon after and also one little child that was born to them. He was again married to Miss Lucy Johnson on Feb.  24th, 1870, to them were given two sons and two daughters, Mrs. Ada Grinstead the elder daughter living in a home of her own near them, and Miss Iva Mix the second daughter still living at home. Henry A. Mix died about five years ago and the younger son Phillip Jacob Mix is at present in Boulder, Colorado, for his health, being advised by his physician not to come home for the present occasion.

For over 38 years Mr. and Mrs. Mix have lived quietly and happily together, and with the companion thus left alone may Jesus the only true comforter and consoler, walk in companionship the rest of her declining years. Mr. Mix has father, mother, three sisters and one brother gone on before. Two brothers, four sisters and one little granddaughter survive him. He was a member of Mt. Ida Lodge No. 73 I. O. O. F. of Vernon, Ind., for 40 years and has been a faithful member during that time; he was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen, a kind husband, a loving father and, a good neighbor and of a quiet disposition, not being inclined to fret or worry although a great sufferer for years, but only confined to his bed for the past two months. I. A.

Mix, Martha J.

April 8, 1891   Vernon Journal,   Jennings County, Indiana
Submitted by Sheila Kell

Martha J. Mix, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Nov. 1854, died March 12, 1891, aged 37 years; was married to William M. West, Jan. 6, 1887. She was a good wife and an earnest Christian. Her last year was one of suffering. When the last moment came, she sweetly sang "God be with you till we meet again."  Funeral service conducted by the pastor Rev. J. E. McCoy, at the Freedom church, March 14, 1891

Franklin Pierce Muret

Heady Family Newsletter, Vol II No. 1, Jan, 1973
Submitted by Carl D. Martin of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Franklin Pierce Muret was born November 4, 1852 near Vevay, Ind., and died Sunday, January 24, 1932 at the age of 79 years, two months and twenty days. He was married on October 28, 1875 to Elvira HUSTON. To them were born five children, Carl H. Muret and Lyde BROWNING, both of whom preceded him in death; J.N.E. Muret and F.G. Muret of the home address and Nannie M. Browning of Enid. His wife died February 7, 1896. One year later in January, 1897 he with his five children moved from Indiana to this community to establish their home. For the past 16 years he had made his home with his son, J.N.E. Muret and family. Besides his three children, he is survived by 15 grand children; two great-grandchildren, one brother, William H. Muret of Winfield; two sisters, Mrs. Eliza Ellen TERRENCE of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. Sally LEE of Mount Sterling, Ind., 11 nephews and 10 nieces. Mrs. George VANNEST, Roy and Marion Browning of Ponca City are grandchildren. All have known him as a devoted mother as well as a father, a good neighbor and a man of moral courage who did the right as he saw fit to do so. He loved and was loved by all who knew him. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church in Blackwell. Burial was in the Blackwell cemetery.

Julius N. E. Muret, Sr.

Source: The Heady Family Newsletter, Vol II, No. 3, Jul 1973.
Submitted by: Carl Martin

Death of Julius N. E. Muret and Wife (1894)
Together they had lived many years, faithfully discharging the duties of husband and wife, parents, neighbors and citizens, beloved and respected by all who knew them. Now both cold in death, and consequently a double funeral. Julius N. E. Muret was born in this township, January 13, 1816. His father, Dr. Charles L. and mother Rebecca, whose maiden name was HEADY, were natives of Switzerland and came to America about 1807. Julius N. E. Muret commenced farming when a boy and continued the business all his life. He was a school trustee many years ago, and county commissioner from 1880 to 1883. Mr. Muret was married to Miss Eliza SINGER, who was born in this township, April 16, 1824. She was a good woman, highly esteemed by all who knew her. She was a sister of Mrs. Sallie HALL and Mrs. J.K. PLEASANTS, of Vevay. The children are: Frank and Miss Sallie, who reside at home; Mary, widow of John B. HASTINGS; Ellen, wife of Dr. TERRANCE, in Indian Territory; George and William, reside in Cowley County, Kansas. Julius, who married Sallie LINDLEY, died several years ago in Kansas, she and children residing there. Nettie, who married John EADS, died several years ago. Mr. Eads and children residing at Washington, Indiana. Mr. Muret and wife had been members of the M.E. Church, since 1852. He died Jan. 9th and she followed Jan. 10th. Their Pastor, Rev. JOHNSON, conducted the funeral service last Thursday afternoon, after which the remains of husband and wife were laid to rest, side by side, in Vevay Cemetery.

Julius N. E. Muret, Jr.

Note: Julius N. E. Muret "Jule" was born in Switzerland county Indiana 18 July 1849 one of 10 children of Julius N. E. and Eliza (Singer) Muret. He was married 25 Apr. 1872 in Vevay to Sallie H. Lindley a daughter of Ira and Euphema (Farrar) Lindley. Jule and Sallie Muret had two children: Claude 1874-1932 and Atha born 1881.

The following news items did not mention the son for some reason. George, William and Julius Muret all settled at Hackney or Pleasant Valley in Cowley county Kansas as did apparently Euphema Lindley and at least two of her sons. The Lindley and Jules Muret families homesteaded farther west in Clarke county Kansas on the Okla. Territory border where Jule was killed. He is buried in the Tannahill cemetery north of Arkansas City Kansas.
--Carl Martin

Source: The Arkansas City Traveler July 4, 1885

DIED- Saturdays' Santa Fe train for the south contained the remains of Julius Muret, on his way to Hackney six miles below this city; the former home of the deceased.

The facts and circumstances relating to Murets' death were told by Mrs. Muret; who was on the train together with her daughter, mother and two brothers. Her story is as follows:

Mr. Julius Muret, wife and child moved from Vevay Indiana about two years ago to a farm near this city. Nearly a year ago he took a claim near Ashland in Clark county and moved there. Afterward Mrs. Lindley, mother of Mrs. Muret and her two sons came on to Clark county. Near Mr. Murets' claim was a claim which had been taken up by a man named Clouch. Clouch had not been near the claim for three months and with the advice of neighbors and friends, the old lady, Mrs. Lindley, decided to take the claim. Old Clouch, living near, had been claiming this claim was taken with a view of holding it till his daughter should be of age to take it. Thursday, as Muret and his brothers-in-law, the Lindleys were going to improve the claim for their mother, Muret arrived on the ground before the others and was at work with a spade, when old man Clouch and a young Kentuckian, Bill Churchill, who had been stopping with Clouch, came up and fired two shots at Muret, one taking effect near the heart and the second in the shoulder. By this time, young Mahlon Lindley, arrived, just in time to catch Muret as he fell forward, when Churchill fired one shot at Lindley, hitting him in the arm, and then they went off. Churchill was arrested, taken to Dodge City and lodged in jail. There was strong talk of lynching him before the sheriff should get him away.

Source: WINFIELD TELEGRAM and the WINFIELD COURIER, Thursday, July 9, 1885

MORE MURDER AT ASHLAND--DR. LAFIELD KILLED IN COLD BLOOD AND ROBBED OF $800.00--A TERRIBLE STORM

Clark County comes in for criminal notoriety with a vim. It has recently had two despicable and revolting murders. Like every new county, it has its' "Bad men", though Ashland is a remarkably temperate, civil place for a border town. Last week Julius MURAT was shot through the heart. He went with his wife and child from Pleasant Valley, this county, and took a claim near Ashland. Afterward, Mrs. LINDSEY, mother of Mrs. MURAT, and two sons came to Clark county. She took a claim near MURAT that had not been occupied by the young man Clouch, who had taken it for three months. Old man Clouch had said his son was holding the claim till his daughter would be of age to take it. MURAT and the LINDSEY boys were going out to dig a foundation for a shanty for their mother. MURAT got there first and was spading, when old man Clouch and a young Kentuckian, Bill Churchill, came up. MURAT had never seen either of them before. Without a word Churchill shot MURAT through the heart. One of the LINDSEYS' arrived just in time to catch MURAT as he fell, when Churchill fired another shot. It went through MURATS' shoulder and into LINDSEYS' arm. The murderer was arrested and placed in the bastille at Dodge City. MURATS' body was brought to this county for interment. Mr. D. Rodocker shows us a letter from Miss Rose Frederick, well known here, chronicaling another terrible murder. Dr. Lafield, Ashlands' dentist, received $800.00 from the east a few days ago. That night, with it on his person, he was shot dead and the money taken. The murder was for no other cause than robbery. Tobe Taylor, a drunken cowboy, was arrested for the crime though there is no positive evidence against him. The same letter tells of a terrible storm that swept over that section the other day. Two storms met, one from the northwest and one from the northeast. Everything in their track was inundated and much property swept away. Dugouts by the dozen were filled with water and caved in, leaving the occupants homeless. And most of the wells, not yet being walled, caved in. It was very destructive and a hard blow on those trying to establish homes in the "wild west."

Submitted by: William Wood
Transcription by: Pat Asher

JULIUS MURET KILLED
Malin Lindley Wounded

James A. Works, Jr., last monday received a telegram bringing the sad intelligence that on June 25th Julius Muret was shot and killed and L. M. Lindley wounded in one of his arms near Ashland, in Clark County, Kansas. We copy the following from the "Clipper," Ashland, Clark County, Kansas, of June 25th:

A fatal shooting scrape occurred this morning about five miles south west of town, which resulted in the killing of Julius Muret, and wounding of Ira M. Lindley, by Wm. Kershival. Kershival came in town about 9 o'clock this morning in company with C. G. Clounch[?] and gave himself up to Sheriff Baghrue[?], and told what he had done. Drs. Parks and Taylor, in company with Deputy Sheriff Andy Wade, went to the scene of action. Our reporter, in company with Chas. Graham, was soon on the ground where the difficulty occured, and found the dead man laid out on a bed and the wounded man suffering considerably with an ugly wound in his left arm.

No preliminary hearing has been had and the coroner's inquest will be had this afternoon so we cannot give the particulars of the affair. But it seems the difficulty arose over a "claim" which both parties wanted. This morning Julius Muret, Ira M. Lindley, C. G. Clounch[?] and William Kershival met on the disputed claim when a difficulty arose, during which Kershival drew his revolver, a 38 calibre, and shot Muret twice in the breast, one ball entering the breast, killing him instantly. He then shot Lindley in the arm, near the elbow. The doctors were unable to find the ball, but after carefully examining the wound, think that it is not necessarily dangerous.

Yesterday Julius N. E. Muret, father of the dead man, received a letter from the widow, dated June 28th, in which she states that her husband and L. M. Lindley had gone to work on a claim of land which had been vacated, and that the two men came up and without a word of warning murdered her husband and wounded her brother, (Lindley).

Julius Muret leaves a widow (nee Sallie Lindley), and two children, a boy 12 and a girl 3 or 4. The family removed from near Vevay to Kansas, and soon after were followed by Mrs. Lindley and her sons, Ira M., and William, and their families.

The man that shot Muret is in jail at Arkansas City, Kansas.

Sallie Hall (Lindley) Muret

Submitted by: William Wood
Transcription by: Pat Asher

Mrs. Sallie Muret [May, 1931]
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at two-thirty from the Oldroyd chapel in Arkansas City for Mrs. Sallie Muret of Hackney, who died at her home Wednesday. Rev. W. S. Luper, pastor of the Hackney Baptish church, officiated at the services. Burial was made in the Hackney cemetery.

When death claimed Mrs. Sallie Muret, Cowley county lost one of its staunchest pioneer women. Mrs. Muret's life was full of burdens of worry, sorrow and care, but still she was noted for her kindness to others in distress.

Mrs. Muret and her husband, Julius Muret went to Arkansas Cty, September 3, 1883. In 1885 they went to western Kansas, where Mr. Muret took a claim. Here it was that Mrs. Muret experienced one of the major sorrows of her life. Her husband was shot and killed in a dispute over claim rights, the murderer afterwards serving a penitentiary sentence for the crime.

Mrs. Muret and her two children, a boy and a girl, moved back to the Hackney vicinity and she resided on a farm south of Winfield until 1905.

Twenty-five years ago her son, Claud Muret, left home and she has never seen him since. To the moment of her death she was in hope that some word would come from him. The longing for her own son made her especially fond of all boys and eager to do some little motherly deed to brighten their lives.

She is survived by a daughter, [M]rs. A. E. Smith of near Newkirk.