Obituary of W I S Pinnell, Edgar County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Obituary of W. I. S. Pinnell Thursday, 10 March 1921, Kansas (IL) Journal Kansas Township's Oldest Resident Expires Sunday Night W. I. S. Pinnell, aged 92 years, passed away at 6 o'clock Sunday night at his home south of Kansas, death being attributed to the infirmities of old age, after an illness of three weeks. Funeral services were held at the late residence Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. W. H. Fonger, pastor of the Christian church. Interment was made in Pleasant Hill cemetery, southeast of Kansas. William Isaac Shelby Pinnell was born in Oldham county, Ky. Nov. 14, 1828, the son of Abraham and Frances (Estes) Pinnell, who came to Kansas township from Kentucky in the fall of 1830. At the age of four years, his parents moved to Kentucky and remained there one year, returning to the present Pinnell homestead, three miles south of Kansas. Mr. Pinnell married a neighbor girl who was born and raised about a quarter of a mile from his home, Miss Martha J. Poulter, the daughter of John and Mary Poulter, Oct. 16, 1853, by the Rev. Peter K. Honn. To this union six children were born: J. E., Johnnie, W. O., H. F., Leroy and Emot. Johnnie was drowned in a stock well at about three years of age, Emo died Oct. 11, 1876, Roy, Sept. 14, 1876; J. E. in June 1912, was injured in an accident by falling from a load of hay, in his own door yard, and died from the injury. W. O. and H. F. are the surviving sons. There are also ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers: W. R. Pinnell of Newman and J. N. Pinnell of Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Adona Arterburn of Kansas. Being of a long-lived pioneer stock, the decedent inherited a very strong, hardy constitution. Many are the stories he could tell of the Indians and their habits, etc. He distinctly recalled the big feast day the Indians had, near the late W. O. Pinnell residence, where several hundred Indians and as many white people gathered for the final ceremony of the Indians leaving this part of Illinois. The hardships endured in the early days can hardly be imagined. At one time there was no money changed hands. The neighbors "swapped" work and exchanged produce, etc. for materials necessary for living. Wages were 6 and one forth to 25 cents for a day's work, and often paid in tobacco. We often asked why he did not buy land at $1.25 per acres. He said, "How could you buy land without money." One instance was related when a certain family thought it necessary to have a clock and it took 40 acres of good land to pay for it. Early in his life, Mr. Pinnell took great interest in farming and livestock. As there was plenty of grass, he handled a great many cattle and as long as he lived took great pleasure in keeping posted as to the daily markets. He took a great deal of pride in what his sons and grandsons did in the way of handling good cattle. At no time did he lose interest in the news of the day. He was a man of very positive ideas and determined in all his dealing. At the age of twenty-one he quit chewing tobacco, a habit acquired in childhood. At about 40 years he quit smoking--never to smoke or chew again. When about 80 years old he united with the church and dropped swearing as the other bad habit. After marriage he took his bride to a farm about six miles northeast of Kansas and built a house in a day and moved in. The neighbors held an indignation meeting and waited on him and told him that it would be better not to go so far out as the wolves and prairie fires would be too much; that they better return near the settlement near the timber. At that time there was no Big Four railroad and no laid out roads that could be followed, having to detour on account of pons. Hitesville was the town and Midway, not Kansas, was just being talked of. With his strong constitution and determined executive ability to succeed, he never gave up; but was determined and usually did all he expected to do. About two years ago, he lost his life companion and since has missed her at all times and frequently said he had lived too long and did not want to live to become a care, and was ready to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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