Barber County Kansas

The Barber County Index, January 30, 1901.

Truman Churchill

Died: Truman Churchill died in Elm Mills township in Barber county, Kansas, January 22, 1901, in his 77th year.

Mr. Churchill was born near Mentor, Ohio, March 21, 1824. He was married to Charlotte A. Davis February 9, 1851. To this union was born three children, two of whom are still living, Lenora M. Woodard, who lives in Woodstock, Illinois, and Charlotte A. Purdy, at Port Huron, Michigan.

On October 18, 1858, he married his now bereaved widow at Woodstock, Illinois, and to this union was born four children, all of whom are living. Cora M. Rench, residing at Rockwell City, Iowa. Three sons, Josiah T., Harry M., and Ernest W., live in Kansas and were present with their mother at the funeral.

Mr. Churchill was converted at the age of 19 and united with the Free Will Baptist church in Ohio. On moving to Iowa some years afterward he united with the Missionary Baptist church and was elected deacon of the church. Moving to his late residence in Kansas in the spring of 1898, he with his wife united with the Baptist church in Medicine Lodge, was elected deacon of this church also, and has gone by the name of "Deacon" Churchill.

In November 1862, Mr. Churchill enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War in the 95th Ill. Volunteers at Rockford. In February 1865 was discharged on account of disability, at Davenport, Iowa.

Mr. Churchill was the last to die of a family of 11 children, all having lived to an advanced age. For 42 years he and his wife have lived together without a death in the family. In his last sickness he bore his affliction with patience, though a great sufferer.

He was perfect resigned to the will of God, almost his last words being "I am fully prepared to go." He lived the life of faith and died as he had lived, triumphant in the faith. Brother Churchill's funeral took place in the Methodist church at Sawyer, Jan. 24th, at 11 o'clock.

The house was filled with his friends and loved ones. There were but four of his family present, the wife and three sons. The sermon was preached from the text "And I hear a voice from heaven saying, write [sic] blessed are the dead which died in the Lord from henceforth; yes, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their words follow with them." Rev. 14:13. Rev. J.J. Griffin, pastor of the Baptist church, Medicine Lodge, officiating.

[NB: Obviously, Mr. Churchill married twice, but there is no clarifying information about the death/departure of Charlotte Davis Churchill or of the 2nd wife's name.]


Thanks to Ellen (Knowles) Bisson for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!




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