Bureau County IL Archives Obituaries.....Misc Obits ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Virginia Perry vperry@midwest.net July 1998 Misc. Obituaries for Bureau County BUREAU COUNTY INFORMATION Pioneer Kitterman helped build Tiskilwa Mills-Bureau Co. Republican -26 July 1984 Michael Kitterman was born in Franklin County, Virginia, near Rocky Mount, the county seat, about the beginning of the year 1800. He found his way to Indiana as an orphan boy, stopping in Harrison County on August 18, 1826. He married Miss Lydia Clark in Perry County, Indiana. She was a native of Nelson County, Kentucky. In 1828 he came west to look at the country and make plans. He liked what he saw and decided to prepare a home for his wife and babies. He arrived with with a saddle horse and ' $4.00. So he hired out for $9.00 a month to a man named Hall. He worked for Hall about six months. He would "rest on Sunday" by getting out a few logs to build a cabin. Kitterman went back to Indiana to get his family. Arriving with his family, he found that his cabin had been seized by "Curt" Williams, the notorious "claim jumper". Williams did leave during the Black Hawk War, and Arthur Bryant improved the property. But Williams returned, much to the dismay of Kitterman and Bryant. The two talked it over, and they were able to rid themselves of Williams for $20.00. This was Section 16. During the trouble with Williams, Kitterman made a stake further south that became his permanent home. When the mills were built in Bureau County, Michael Kitterman was involved. Here is his own story in his own words: When the mills were built I went up to the Fox River and got a grist. When I wanted salt I had to go to Chicago. It would take me eight days to go up and eight days to come back. I took my food along: when I was there once I wanted some whiskey; I went all over chicago for it. Well I went into a saloon and the keeper said: "I've got a five-gallon jug." Well what will you fill it for? Says he: "I'll put in the five gallons and give you the jug for a dollar." I took it. I lived under the wagon as I came home, and had all the whiskey I wanted to drink. This quotation is taken from Bradsby's History of Bureau County. Bradsby describes Kitterman as "big-hearted, big- brained, though unlettered- a superb type of grand old pioneer." The Kittermans had six sons and four daughters. They were one of the leading, wealthy and influential families of Bureau County. The Kitterman cabin, the second cabin he built after losing the first to the claim jumper, was located near Tiskilwa. It was on the Tiskilwa-Princeton road on the right side of the road, a short distance from the present canal bridge as you drive toward Princeton. In 1846, Kitterman built a brick home on the left side of the road, crossing the canal and heading for Princeton. The bricks for the home were made by Kitterman and Mr. Gosse of Princeton. There is a picture of Michael with the article. Note: As with all stories handed down through the years about family members, a lot of the facts are lost and new facts are added. Michael was not left an "orphan". His father died in 1811, when Michael was 11 years old. Anna Danner Kitterman continued to buy and sell land in Franklin County. Anna Kitterman and eleven of her children, some of which were married and had children, came to Harrison County, Indiana arriving there in time to make the 1820 census. Before the 1830 census, Anna and all her children except two sons, John and Zachariah had moved to Perry County, Clark township, in Indiana. They are listed there in the 1830 census. Michael left Indiana and went to Bureau County in 1828. He returned to Indiana and made the 1830 census and shortly after this took his wife and 2 children and his wife's parents along with other members of the family and neighbors to live in Bureau County, Illinois. Newspaper Bureau County, Il.--no date Mrs. Lydia Kitterman was born in Kentucky on Sept. 15, 1810. Was united in marriage with Michael Kitterman in Harrison County Indiana in August 1825 where their first two children were born. In company with Mrs. Kitterman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clark, they emigrated to this county where eleven more children were born to them. Of the thirteen children ten are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Kitterman underwent all vicis- situdes privations incidents to pioneer life. They lived for a while in fear of the Indians who had not then abanded this county. They reared thirteen children as best they could, and enjoyed a happy, well earned rest in their declining years. Mrs. Kitterman early in life joined the Methodist church of which her parents were members. She survived her husband 5 years, 7 months, and died March 12, 1891 having lived 80 years and 6 months. The funeral services was conducted by the Rev. Hewitt of St. Judes Episcopal church, on Sunday, March 15. Her remains were followed to Mt. Bloom by a great many friends and reverently lowered to their last resting place by her six sons. Of her brothers and sisters, nine in all, three of the youngest are still living, Benjamin Clark of Winsor, Sonoma, Co., Ca. aged 66 years, William Clark of Forestville, Sonoma Co., Ca. aged 63 and Mrs Jane Applegate of Perry, Dallis Co., Iowa, aged 60 years. The latter was in attendance at the funeral. Mrs. Kitterman will always be remembered by her children as a loving and devoted mother. Her last moments seemed peaceful leaving a pleasant memory to the bereaved. The day for her is ended and night began. And with the morn those angel faces smile, Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. F.E.K. (Note-Lydia Clark married Michael Kitterman in Perry county, Indiana and their first two children were born in Perry County, Indiana.) Bureau County --Newspaper WAS RESIDENT HERE FOR 75 YEARS--Robert Kitterman, son of Michael and Lydia Kitterman parted with earthly life Tuesday, Nov. 6, 1906 Robert Kitterman was born in Perry County, Indiana, January 7, 1829. He was the oldest child of Michael and Lydia Kitterman, and was one of thirteen children, six of whom are dead. He came to Bureau County with his parents in 1831. Mr. Kitterman's early life was a series of privations, or would have been to the average boy of the present day. But I presume he not being accustomed to the luxuries in which he afterwards lived, took them as a matter of course. He began his useful career when a lad assisting his parents Educational privileges were meager in his childhood, but his improvement in that direction ceased only with his last illness. The first school he attended was conducted in a log house on a hill east of the old Kitterman homestead. It was a private school. Next he was a pupil of the district ------------------------------------------------------------- esteem for the bride and groom of fifty years were left there. It became evident early in the past summer that Mr. Kitterman was suffering from some serious malady. The change was gradual but constant, with a glad recognition for his friends, even up to the last hours. His mind was unusually clear for one who suffered so much. He realized fully that his life's journey was nearing its close. And with the wisdom Mr. Kitterman usually manifested he knocked on the door of God's house where admission is never withheld. So he went as he came, humble and trusting as a child ready and willing to obey the Master's call. Besides a wife, three children and one grandchild, he leaves three sisters and four brothers to mourn one who was always ready to assist and advise --------------------- Robert Kitterman was married to Miss Flora , daughter of Doctor and Mrs. Greenman, in 1855, and settled on their farm in Indiantown township. Four children were born to them. One son died when about two years of age. The others grew to manhood and womanhood, and were married from that home. It was there the friends remember Mr. and Mrs. Kitterman in the prime of life. And there too they experienced most of the joys and sorrows; sunshine and clouds that come to all mortals. Their active life covering a space of forty-three years was spent there. It was a thrifty looking place, that spoke of the energy and taste of its owners. Mr. Kitterman possessed a quiet, sunny, disposition, ever avoiding controversy, with charity toward all. He never courted notoriety. He had no ambition for political offices, but for the improvement of his own neighbor accepted the position of road commissioner which he held for nearly twenty years. After the marriage of their daughter, Mrs. Ida to A.L. Miller, and the departure of thier sons to engage in business in town, the spacious house became lonely and although feebleness did not creep over them, with rational forethought they purchased and remodeled a residence in the village of Tiskilwa. After Mr. Miller's death, their daughter returned to live with them. Monday February 6, 1905 occurred the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage--too rare an event to let pass unnoticed. Accordingly friends counciled together with the result that many relatives, both old and young, and a few old friends spent an enjoyable evening in celebrating the golden wedding. The servicces were held at his late residence on Thursday afternoon, November 8th, Rev. R.M.Laurenson, rector of St. Judes Episcopal church officiating. Followed by a large conconrse of people, admid flowers, the tribute of loving friends and the falling autnum leaves, the mortal remains of one held so dear were laid to rest in Mt. Bloom. Jonas Hamilton More--Passes Peacefully Away After a Lif's Work Well Done. One of Tiskilwa's Oldest and Most Respected Citizens-With the Autumn Leaves Falling Around Him He is Laid to Rest. J.H. More is dead. Last Saturday morning the news came, and although not unespected, it shocked the entire community. His health had been failing for several weeks, but he was hopeful until near the end. Friday morning he took his bed, and remarked to his wife that as the Autumn leaves were falling so he was going. Saturday morning he was much worse, and friends were telegraphed for, about at nine o'clock Saturday morning, September 26, 1896, he breathed his last. In his death the community has lost an upright honorable citizen, the business circles of our town, an honest conscientious tradesman, his family, a loving husband and thoughtful, kind and indulgent father. The writer had known him for almost ten years, and words fail us to describe the high regard we always had for this exemplary man who has just left us. We hope that every young man might emulate his sterling integrity, bright character, and his unfreigned regard for all that was good, just and honorable. The funeral services were held at his late residence, where he spent so many happy years with the joy of his heart-his family, on Monday afternoon at three o'clock. It was one of bigest funerals ever seen in Tiskilwa. Every place of business in town closed, also the school, the pupils marching to the house and to Mt. Bloom where they scattered autumn leaves over the beir. Deceased was a member of Sharon Lodge No. 550 A.F. & A.M., and also of Senachwine Lodge, No. 147 I.O.O.F. About 50 members later lodge marched in the procession to the cemetery and deposited evergreens on the grave. Rev. A.Bailey Hill, St. Jude's Episcopal church officiated and preached a very touching and able sermon, which will be printed in this paper next week. Undertaker L.O. May had charge of the funeral; interment at Mount Bloom cemetery. He was a senior member of the firm J.H. Moreand Co., his partner being his son-in-law, Mr. E.R. Pettegrew. The direct cause of his death was congestion of he lungs, but his system had been weakened by a stomach trouble of long standing. He was an active and consistent member of St. Jude's Episcopal church, and took much interest in affairs of the Parish. He was Junior Warden of the Vestry at the time of his death. Jonas Hamilton More, son of Robert L. and Gertrude Conover More was born in Prattsville, Green county, New York, January 9, 1828, and was aged 68 years, 8 months and 15 days at the time of his death. When he was nine years old his parents moved to Durhamville, where as soon as he was old enough he began work in his father's tannery when not in school. When his father went to Connecticut to engage in the business of building railroads, Jonas accompained him, and though but nineteen years old, took charge of a gang of men in excavating and grading. This business he followed for eight years in different parts of the country: first on the New York and New Haven railroad; then on the Hudson River railroad; then on the New Haven and Northampton railroad; next on the New Jersey Central. He then came to Tiskilwa, where he superintended a portion of the grading of the Chicago and Rock Island railroad; from here to Putnam on the Bureau Valley road, and from there to Muscatine, Iowa, on the branch of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific road. He returned to Tiskilwa in 1855, and married Nancy, daughter of Michael Kitterman, one of the pioneer settlers of Bureau county. In 1856 he engaged in the merchantile business in Tiskilwa, which he continued up to his death, making forty years of business in Tiskilwa. In 1867 he took the contract of grading four miles of the Union Pacific railroad in Western Nebraska. He has six children, two boys and four girls. The oldest three died in infancy, three daughters remaining Emma, wife of Edward R. Pettegrew; Gertrude, wife of Dr. B.F. Landis; and Marion, all of Tiskilwa. Mr. More has always enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, who bestowed upon hummanity positions of honor and trust, --among them that of the member of the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served during the years of 1874-76; Postmaster, Supervisor, Member of the Board of Education, President and member of the Village Trustees. He was Township Treasure and member of the Village Library Board at the time of his death. Bureau County Republican--September 8, 1881 Mrs. Jenny, wife of Henry Kitterman was buried at Mt. Bloom, last Friday, September 2nd, Mrs. K. had been ailing for sometime with malaria fever. She was an estimable lady; a good exemplary wife, a fond mother; about 44 years of age, and leaves her husband and several children, and many friends to mourn her loss. Bureau County Republican--November 16, 1865 Died October 26, 1865, Mrs. Ann Dean, aged 35 years, eldest daughter of Michael and Lydia Kitterman, and wife of Channecy A. Dean, Esq. of Tiskilwa. The funeral took place at her father's house on the 27th. of October. Rev. M. Noah officiating, and though the day was one torrent of rain and the roads barely passable, yet a large and sympathizing audience was present, many of whom attended her jouous bridal twelve years before at the same place. As a maiden she was beautiful and admirable, the light and joy of her home, the idol of her numerous kindred and greatly admired and loved by a wide circle of friends. She was a beautiful daughter, a devoted wife and affectionate mother and a warm faithful friend. In life she was surrounded by every comfort and luxury that one could procure. In death she was buried with appropriate taste and elegance by tender and sympathizing friends in the Kitterman Family Cemetery on that beautiful hill which overlooks a broad expansion of the beautiful Bureau Valley http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/bureau/obits/bureau.txt