McDonough ILGenWeb

The Macomb Journal November 22, 1894

The JOURNAL, when the sad event occurred, gave a short notice of the death of Mrs. Sarah KEITHLY, who died at the home of her son George in Hire township, this county, November 1st. At the time we had no satisticy whereby we could give such a sketch of her life as we desired. Since, the JOURNAL has come in possession of the matter necessary from the hands of her son George:

Deceased was born in the state of Virginia June 20, 1805; moved to Harrison County, Indiana some time in her youth. She was married to Jacob KEITHLEY in the year 1825; removed to McDonough County, Ill., October 1839, therefore was a pioneer of this County. She was the mother of twelve children , three of the oldest have gone before to world unseen by us, namely Mary J. Hainline, William and John KEITHLEY. She had 80 grand children, a great number of great grandchildren and quite a number of great great grandchildren. She saw her 4th generation.

Mother KEITHLEY manufactured all the clothing that her family of twelve children needed away back in the 40s. "I, said her son George, to the writers remember the first Sunday school I ever attended: all the clothes I wore were made of her own hands. She lived with her husband, Jacob KEITHLEY, made five trips over the Union Pacific railroad to California from 1869 to 1875 when her husband died in California August 28, 1875; since which time Mother KEITHLEY lived in Blandinsville alone, until six years ago her daughter, Lucinda Mourning, had taked care of her in her old age."

Mother KEITHLEY's eldest children cannot remember when she was not a Christian. She must have lived a Christian nearly eighty hears and lived in that way her children could call her blessed. The United Bretheren church was the church of her choice though she joined the Methodist church some eight years ago. Her funeral was preached in the Methodist church in Blandinsville November 3rd by Rev. Bailey, pastor. Mother is gone from us but we realize what is our loss is heaven's eternal ? .

Contributed by Harry Stafford