Obituary of William Pickering, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Obituary of William Pickering   12 December 1917, Robinson (IL) Argus William Pickering, son of James and Cathern Pickering, was born March 2, 1843, in Fairfield County, Ohio; departed this life November 23, 1917, at his home in Crawford county, Licking township, aged 74 years, 8 months and 21 days.  He was one of a family of 9 children, Jacob, Hamilton, Hannah, William, Harrison, Martha Smith and Catherine.  William was the third one and stayed at home on the farm until he was 21 years of age.  He received his education at the Swamp school house.  At the age of 21, he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, for service in the Union army, becoming a member of the 10th Calvary under command of Col. Sanders and Capt. Morgan.  He was one in the march to the sea with Sherman.  Also one of the brave boys at Macon, Ga., and other noted battles of the sixties.  He was honorable discharged at Salem, North Carolina, being mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, having a record of a brave soldier of which none should be ashamed. After his return home from the war, he worked on a farm in Fairfield county by the month for one year, and on December 5, 1867, he was married to Miss Hannah Matz, Eld. Geo. Helperman officiating.  This union was blessed with three children, First, Edwin Leo, who preceeded him in early childhood to the home of the blest.  Second, Elnora, who also preceeded him in young woman and wifehood.  Third, Brada C., who with his aged widowed mother and many kindred and friends most sadly are left to await their call to "that Land that is fairer than day." There was one little granddaughter, Goldie, born to bless their lives, but she too was taken at the first dawning of its brief day.   Bro.  Pickering came to this country shortly after his marriage to visit some old friends (the Price families) and he finally bought a 62-acre track of farming land in section 2 and in the year of 1868 (or about that time) he located on the land living for 10 years in a small log cabin, clearning and improving the land, and then he built a good house and also adding a few more acres to his farm and putting conveniences on it until hehad him a good home as the reward of industry and economy, under the bleesings of the "giver of every good and perfect gift." Bro. Pickering and his good wife, "Aunt Hannah," were baptised into the fellowship of Olive Branch Baptist church on the same day under the pastorate of Eld. John Bratton.  He continued in this blessed fellowship until called to the perfect fellowship of the saints above. His clean record entitled him to a membership in the Joseph Shaw Post of the G. A. R's at Annapolis, Illinois.  Bro. Pickering and his wife made a visit this fall back in Ohio among his old home people and had a good time of it.  But after coming home he contracted a deep cold and seemed to be declining in health until November 20th when he was thought to be better, having slept and rested well the night before.  On the Tuesday night of the 20th his wife awoke some time after the 12 o'clock hour and found him unable to speak and seemingly unconscious, having a stroke of paralysis.  Everything that loving hearts and hands could do, was done, but the summons had come and he peacefully fell asleep.  Thus ends the time stay of one of our numbers.   Thus ends the time stay of one of our numbers on November 23rd, between the morning hour of 10 and 11 o'clock, he peacefully fell asleep.    Thous shalt come to thy grave, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season (Job 5-20) "Life's race well run, Life's work well done, Life's crown well won Now comes rest." The funeral services were conducted by Eld. Geo. Fuson, the pastor at the Olive Branch church, on November 25th.  He spoke to us from the words our Saviour in Jno. 14:1.  "Ye Believe in God, Believe Also in Me." There was a large congregation present which bespoke the high esteem in which Bro. Pickering was held.   His body was laid away in the cemetery nearby to await the awakening of the blessed dead "who die in the Lord." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern