Obituary of Fanny Ann Kester BOYER, Edgar County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Obituary of Fanny Ann Kester Boyer Kansas (IL) Journal, Thursday, 30 August 1900 Aunt Fanny Ann Boyer's death removed from earth one of the most historical characters of the state. When Aunt Fanny came to this state more than sixty years ago, our town had not yet been dreamed of. Instead of our modern dwellings might be found the Indian wigwams, and in place of the present surrounding cultivated fields, was one broad sea of prarie grass, in which roamed Indians, the deer and the antelope. She was born near Prarie Creek, Vergo Co., Ind., February 7th, 1815, and in November 1827, removed to this state with her parents, Nathan and Elizabeth Kester and settled on the place now known as the old Kester farm about four miles south of here, which is at present owned by the Hayes brothers. At the age of 15 years, she united with the Primitive Baptist church at Concord, Clark County, and was baptized by Elder Richard M. Newport. She has lived a consistent christian life ever since--a period of about 70 years. The fall that she was 12 years old, she rode from here to Kentucky on horseback with her parents and a company of friends. The deceased was married three times, the first husband, Joshua Shaw being Mrs. W. O. Pinnell's father. Frederick Boyer, her second husband, was the father of Frederick Boyer, of Olney. The last husband, Elijah A. Boyer, has been deceased 38 years. He was the father of Riley Boyer, of Mattoon, and Joseph Boyer, of Kansas. Besides these four children, Mrs. Boyer is survived by a sister, Mrs. Angeline Carey of Litchfield, Minn., who is ten years her junior. During the latter years of her life, she has resided with her children and grandchildren. For the last few months, she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. W. O. Pinnell, of Paris, where she died last Tuesday evening. She was brought here Wednesday eveing on the 8:00 o'clock train and were conveyed to the home of Josie Boyer. On Thursday morning a very large funeral procession of relatives and friends followed the remains to Richwoods church, where the funeral was conducted by Rev. S. H. Moffett. The interment took place in the adjoining cemetery. It was the special request of the deceased just before her death that Elder J. M. True, who has for years been one of her intimate friends, should conduct the funeral services, but Elder True was sick at the time and could not go. Aunt Fanny has all her life been a hale hearty woman and notwithstanding her extreme old age was strong and active until about two years ago when she was stricken with a severe attack of the grippe. Since that time she has gradually lost her vitality. Several days before death came, she realized that the end of this life was near and several times expressed her wish to die. The end came as calmly and peacefuly as the going to sleep of a babe. The following relatives were in attendance at the funeral from a distance: Rile Boyer and wife of Mattoon; Mesdames Pope Wilhoit, Exie Hopkins and W. O. Pinnell, of Paris; Fred N. Boyer of Olney; and E. O. Boyer of Edgewood. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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