Obituary of William Pierson MUSGRAVE, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Jim Admire Note: I have no connection to this family. I'm just posting an Obit that was sent to me by Barbara Dix who is transcribing old news articles for the website. WM. P. MUSGRAVE  CALLED  TO  REST. Passes Quietly to the Great Beyond Monday March, 1. William Pierson Musgrave, aged 86 years, 3 months and 19 days passed away at his home about two miles north of Hutsonville just before the noon hour Monday March 1st . Funeral services were held at Union Chapel Wednesday, March 3rd at 10 a. m., conducted by the home ministers led by Cyrus Guyer. Interment in the Musgrave cemetery. The large concourse of friends who filled the church to over flowing and who accompanied the remains to their last resting place bore testimony to the high standing and regard in which the deceased was held by all who knew him. He passed away quietly and without a sembalance of pain, just going into a peaceful slumber. At no time during his last illness did he seem to suffer. Mr. Musgrave was a native of this township, his parents, who were North Carolina Quakers, having come to this country in the year 1818 and taken up a government land claim. When he was only twenty years of age, he was appointed a delegate to the Friends' yearly meeting in Dayton Ohio and made the trip and return on horseback. In earlier days he had hauled apples, wool and other produce as far as Chicago to find a market, bringing back salt and other things. Mr. Musgrave was one of the pioneer business men of the village having opened up a store on the river just back of the present McNutt & Musgrave Bros. hardware establishment. About 1854 he formed a partnership with the late Dr. Meserve of Robinson. Meserve & Musgrave sold drugs in a small building that stood near where the Farmers & Merchants bank now stands. After a short duration the firm dessolved and in 1861 Mr. Musgrave and Wm. Coffin, a brother- in-law, formed a partnership and started a general store on the ground where the present Hurst Bros. store now stands. After one year Coffin withdrew and Dr. Thomas Kennedy, also a brother-in-law of Mr. Musgrave, be came a partner. After a short time Kennedy withdrew and in 1864 W. P. Musgrave and John R. Hurst formed a partnership which lasted but one year when Isaac Lowe, father of Judge A. L. Lowe, bought Mr. Musgrave out and he returned to the farm where he spent the remainder of his days. Following is the obituary: William Pierson, son of Nathan and Mary Musgrave, was born Nov. 12, 1828 and was married to Percilia E. Coffin Oct. 8th, 1849. They were married according to the custom of the Friends' Church in a public meeting with out license, they pronouncing the ceremony, this being the legal form of marriage at that time. To this union were born five children, Edward P., John E., Izora E. Cox of Robinson, Ill., Lura B. Woodard and William R. All of these, except Izora, with their mother preceded him in death. He was again married to Catherine J. Voorheis Oct. 24, 1864(1?). To this union were born seven children, Nathan A., Flora F., Mary E., Edward V., Mahlon H., Eliza B. and Harry, three of whom survive being Nathan, Mary and Mahlon. He also left fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. His parents came to this country and settled here in the year 1818. They were one of the most prominent families in the early development of this country. The Indians were numerous here at that time and wild game such as deer and turkey were in abundance. Uncle William saw the country transformed from a wilderness which by the sturdy stroke of industry was made to "Blossom as the Rose", as we see it today. He had a birthright and was a life long member of the Friends' Church. He bore his first public testimony in Christ at the age of 17. This was unusual in those days of quiet meetings. By his simple, honest and upright life he was known by all as a Godly man. He was ever ready, both in public and and private, to speak of the Master he loved so well. He had a profound reverance for the Holy Scriptures and was faithful to read them in daily devotion, night and morning, with his family often speaking upon such occasions that his prospect was bright. His earthly treasure was goodwill to all and high regard for his children who so kindly cared him to the end. He leaves to his children and to his grandchildren a priceless legacy--an example of peace and goodwill to his fellow men. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. 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